Editor’s note: This is Part 9 of a 12-part series breaking down the Pittsburgh Steelers at each position in the offseason. All salary cap information courtesy spotrac.com or overthecap.com:

In regards to glamour and star power, outside linebacker has arguably been the “money” position of the Pittsburgh Steelers defense over the past three decades. In the coming months, there will be no shortage of money thrown at their starters at the position from this past season.

T.J. Watt and Bud Dupree were part of the conversation for the NFL’s best duo of edge defenders over the past 2-3 years. Each is likely in line to receive a lucrative multiyear contract this offseason.

Only one of them, though, figures to get it from the Steelers.

Watt is considered one of the two major candidates to be named the NFL’s AP Defensive Player of the Year when the league’s major awards are announced Saturday night. A 2017 first-round pick of the Steelers who led the NFL in sacks, QB hits and tackles for loss in 2020, Watt is scheduled to make $10.09 million this season on the fifth-year option the Steelers exercised on him last spring.

In practice, though, that figure is a mere placeholder until Watt and his representation can work out a mega extension with the Steelers. The Steelers’ longstanding policy (other than quarterbacks) has been to extend players’ contracts during the offseason before the final year of their current deals. They also rarely, if ever, lose a player they unquestionably want to keep.

“T.J.,” coach Mike Tomlin said, referring to linebacker Trent Jordan Watt, “is visiting from another planet, to be quite honest with you."https://t.co/qJpyEoUazX

— Tribune-ReviewSports (@TribSports) January 2, 2021

Watt certainly falls into that category after making first-team All Pro each of the past two seasons. Barring some sort of coronavirus-related holdup on the part of the Steelers, Watt is looking at a contract of at least five years in length with well more than $20 million of average earnings per season.

That will result in nine figures of total value — think Myles Garrett’s contract with the Cleveland Browns (five years, $125 million)

Dupree’s new deal won’t reach those lofty standards — in part, because he is recovering from a torn ACL suffered in December.

But if teams are convinced of his health, Dupree will command a deal of similar length that could be in the range of $15-20 million in average annual value.

But with Watt the obvious priority for the salary cap-crunched Steelers, it is unlikely the team could extend Dupree, too.

He made more than $25 million the past two seasons in his option and franchise-tag years.

Trepidation over a departure of Dupree was mitigated this past season by the excellent rookie season of Alex Highsmith. A third-round pick out of Charlotte, Highsmith proved capable, if unspectacular, filling in for Dupree.

At worst, he wouldn’t look out of place as a starter.

If that’s the case, though, the Steelers have work to do at the position because they have no backups under contract.

Last season’s No. 4, Ola Adeniyi, is a restricted free agent. He has flashed at times during preseason games but has yet to show he deserves a dramatically increased role.

Assuming Dupree leaves, look for the Steelers to supplement the position via the draft or the bargain-bin free agent market. Likely, both.

Offseason outlook: OLBs

Returnees

T.J. Watt, 1 year left on contract, $10.09 million cap hit for 2021

Alex Highsmith, 3 years left on contract, $1.02 million cap hit for 2021

Free agents

Bud Dupree, unrestricted, $15.83 million cap hit in 2020

Ola Adeniyi, restricted, $575,000 cap hit in 2020

Jatrone Elliott, unrestricted, $910,000 cap hit in 2020

Cassius Marsh, unrestricted, $1.05 million cap hit in 2020

Tomorrow: Cornerbacks

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