Things are finally looking up for the Pittsburgh Steelers. After hiring new head coach Mike McCarthy and getting an almost entirely new coaching staff in place, the Steelers added talent to their roster with players like Michael Pittman Jr., Jamel Dean, and Rico Dowdle. Pittsburgh also has 12 selections to work with in the 2026 NFL Draft.
But before filling in the rest of their roster, the Steelers need to find a long-term solution to the Nick Herbig dilemma.
Herbig, 24, is entering the final year of his rookie contract. Though he's mostly operated as a rotational backup outside linebacker for the Steelers, the talented edge rusher made it clear that he wants to be a full-time player. This is sure to come with a massive contract extension.
Considering his youth and ability to get after the quarterback, Pittsburgh should oblige. But paying top dollar to three edge rushers might not be the best use of money. Meanwhile, NFL teams are poking around to see if Herbig might be available for trade. The Dallas Cowboys are one of them.
Though Herbig should remain with the Steelers, Omar Khan could make the Cowboys an offer that would give Dallas a respectable pass rusher while solving Pittsburgh's edge rusher dilemma.
The Pittsburgh Steelers should trade Alex Highsmith (not Nick Herbig) to the Dallas Cowboys
In a perfect world, the Steelers would keep all three edge rushers—T.J. Watt, Nick Herbig, and Alex Highsmith—and work out a rotation that keeps all three players fresh. However, after watching free-agents like Jaelan Phillips, Odafe, Oweh, and Boye Mafe break the bank in free agency (each raking in $20-30 million per season), Herbig knows his worth.
Herbig wants to be a full-time starter... and who can blame him? The young pass rusher won't even turn 25 until late November during the 2026 season, and he's one of the best future assets on this team.
But dishing out another elite edge rusher contract also seems unreasonable with Watt's monumental deal still on the books for a few more seasons. Because of this, Pittsburgh should offer Highsmith (not Herbig) to the Cowboys.
Highsmith is a well-rounded rusher who can hold up against the run, rush the passer, and even drop into coverage when needed. The Cowboys are shifting to a 3-4 defense, and Highsmith would be an ideal fit as a starter for new defensive coordinator Christian Parker.
Though Herbig would go for a second-round pick (and maybe more) via trade, Highsmith's value would come in a bit lower, due to his age. Still, the Steelers and Cowboys could strike a deal that includes Dallas' third-round pick recently acquired by the San Francisco 49ers in the Osa Odighizuwa trade. The Cowboys could also throw in a 2027 pick-swap to sweeten the deal for Pittsburgh.
If this mock trade were to be executed, the Dallas Cowboys would be getting a proven edge rusher who would improve their defense in a Super Bowl window, while the Pittsburgh Steelers would solve their Nick Herbig dilemma—giving the team the flexibility to ink Herbig to a long-term deal.
The Steelers would keep the most promising outside linebacker on their team around for the long haul while picking up a fourth third-round pick for the 2026 NFL Draft. This would give them all the flexibility in the world to either trade up in April's draft or even trade for 2027 draft picks.