The Pittsburgh Steelers could have a big problem on their hands as a pass-rusher this offseason after a player missed practice on Wednesday, a day after defensive end Nick Herbig signed a four-year contract extension worth $100 million.

That's pretty good money for Herbig, who has been a backup for the Steelers behind veterans T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith.

And those veterans certainly noticed the new deal for Herbig. 

Per Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Highsmith missed Wednesday's practice at mandatory minicamp.

"A league source confirmed to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that Steelers outside linebacker Alex Highsmith is not at practice on Wednesday, the second day of a mandatory three-day minicamp," Fittipaldo posted on X.

Highsmith missing the mandatory practice one day after Herbig signed a contract extension doesn't feel incidental. Highsmith, a third-round pick by the Steelers in 2020,  led the defense in sacks with 9.5 sacks in 2025.

In 2023, Highsmith signed a four-year contract extension worth $68 million, paying him $17 million per season through the 2027 campaign. Watt is set to make $32 million per season.

There's little wonder Highsmith would want a pay raise given his importance to the defense and seeing a teammate coming off the bench set to make more money than him in the near future. 

Per Over The Cap, the Steelers have just over $4 million cap space remaining for the upcoming season. 

Pittsburgh still has Patrick Queen and Joey Porter Jr. hoping for a new deal this offseason.

The Steelers only have so much money to go around this offseason as they plan to try and win a Super Bowl this season with a veteran roster. 

Highsmith could be sending a message that he needs to be the next priority for the Steelers this offseason. Missing a mandatory practice in June could be a sign of what's to come if he doesn't have a new deal by the start of training camp in July.

Conventional wisdom would say the Steelers ought to try and trade Watt or Highsmith and fetch a good return this summer, as the market for edge rushers has been sky-high this offseason.

Pittsburgh doesn't want to do that. But then again, their best pass-rusher might not want to play for less.