Alex Highsmith working at Steelers minicamp, confident in new deal

Outside linebacker Alex Highsmith arrived at mandatory minicamp Tuesday minus the long-term contract he has been seeking from the Pittsburgh Steelers.

He took the practice field with the rest of his teammates and was a full participant in team as well as individual drills. That was a departure from prior years when players seeking new contracts — named T.J. Watt and Minkah Fitzpatrick — limited their participation until a deal was reached.

Highsmith was coy about his plans when he spoke with reporters before practice.

“We’ll see when that time comes,” Highsmith said. “Right now, I’m working. Being with the team, being with the guys means a lot to me.”

The Steelers already were down a veteran outside linebacker Tuesday because Watt was given an excused absence by coach Mike Tomlin.

Highsmith finished sixth in the NFL with 14.5 sacks last season. Eight of those sacks came in the second half after Watt, the 2021 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, returned from a torn pectoral injury.

“He’s an elite Robin,” Tomlin said, referring to Batman’s comic-book sidekick. “We like to challenge him in that way. He’s growing. He’s making a name for himself in this thing. He seeks perfection.”

Highsmith is entering the final season of his rookie contract. His value, according to salary-tracking website spotrac.com, is $13.9 million per season.

Last year, the Steelers signed Fitzpatrick to a record-setting deal after the conclusion of minicamp. Highsmith would like to see history repeat itself and have negotiations not extend into the summer and after the Steelers report to training camp on July 26.

“That would be awesome,” he said. “We’ll see what happens. I’m confident with the way things are going. … Right now, I just want to focus on ball.”