Detroit Lions Eye Trade for Alex Highsmith

The Detroit Lions are considering a trade for Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher Alex Highsmith, according to Max Dible of Heavy.com, which would give the Lions another proven pass rusher opposite Aidan Hutchinson.

Why Highsmith Could Be Available

The Steelers have committed major money to both T.J. Watt and Nick Herbig, leaving Highsmith in an interesting position despite having two years remaining on his current contract.

Highsmith recorded 9.5 sacks in 2025, leading Pittsburgh's defense, and has totaled 45 career sacks and 64 tackles for loss since entering the league.

Highsmith Has Been One of the NFL’s Most Consistent Pass Rushers

Perhaps even more impressive is his consistency, with Highsmith never finishing with fewer than six sacks outside of his rookie season.

The Lions are currently 9th in the National Football Conference with a 9-8 record, on a W1 streak, and are preparing to face the New Orleans Saints on September 13, 2026.

Would the Lions Make Sense?

Adding another established edge rusher alongside Hutchinson has long been a popular idea among Lions fans, and pairing him with a player of Highsmith's caliber could give defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard one of the league's most dangerous pass-rushing duos.

Whether Brad Holmes is willing to part with the draft capital required to complete such a deal remains to be seen, but if Pittsburgh decides Highsmith is expendable, Detroit could be one of the teams worth watching.

Highsmith's career-best campaign came in 2022 when he registered 14.5 sacks, making him an attractive target for the Lions.

The Lions' defense has already undergone significant changes this offseason, but general manager Brad Holmes may not be done adding talent.

At this point, a trade remains purely speculative, but the logic is easy to understand, with Highsmith checking plenty of boxes for a Lions team looking to strengthen its pass rush.