# Breaking News: Steelers Next Move Leaked — Pittsburgh Shipping Alex Highsmith to Dallas in Third Trade with Cowboys?
**By NFL Insider Staff | October 4, 2026**
**PITTSBURGH** — The Pittsburgh Steelers aren’t done dealing. Less than a week after shipping disgruntled cornerback Joey Porter Jr. to the Dallas Cowboys, league sources indicate the Steelers may be preparing to send another key defensive piece to their new favorite trade partner.
According to multiple reports circulating around the NFL, Steelers edge rusher **Alex Highsmith** has emerged as a prime trade candidate ahead of next month’s deadline, and the Cowboys — desperate for pass-rush help — are considered the most likely destination.
The whispers began earlier this week when The Athletic’s Jonathan Jones reported that Highsmith is among the players he’s “keeping an eye on” based on conversations with NFL executives. The 29-year-old outside linebacker is in the final year of his contract in 2027, and with T.J. Watt and recently extended Nick Herbig commanding significant money, Pittsburgh may be inclined to move on before Highsmith walks for nothing.
## Why Highsmith Fits Dallas
The Cowboys’ pass rush has been nothing short of abysmal through the first month of the season. Dallas has generated just 43 pressures and a mere two sacks — with only half a sack coming from an edge rusher. Highsmith, by contrast, already has three sacks in 2026 to go along with a 72.2 run-defense grade.
“Highsmith would instantly be the best edge rusher on Dallas’ roster upon his arrival,” Sports Illustrated noted this week.
The Steelers and Cowboys have completed three significant trades in recent years, with George Pickens, Broderick Jones, and now Joey Porter Jr. all heading to Dallas. That established relationship could grease the wheels for another deal.
## What Pittsburgh Gets
A third-round pick appears to be the starting point for Highsmith, based on comparable edge rusher trades. The Cowboys are light on 2027 draft capital — they own just four picks, none in the third round — but they do hold Pittsburgh’s fourth-round selection and could package picks to get a deal done.
From Pittsburgh’s perspective, moving Highsmith would create immediate cap flexibility and additional draft ammunition, while allowing second-year linebacker Nick Herbig to assume a larger role opposite Watt.
## The Bigger Picture
The Porter trade signaled that general manager Omar Khan is willing to move on from players who don’t fit the team’s financial plans. Highsmith, while productive, may fall into that category. The Steelers sit at 2-2 after a heartbreaking 27-24 loss to Cleveland on Thursday night — a game in which Porter was traded hours before kickoff.
“We’ve been playing without Joey for the last three weeks,” defensive tackle Cameron Heyward said after the loss. “I wish him the best, but it had nothing to do with it. We’re four weeks down and this needs to get fixed yesterday”.
With the trade deadline approaching in early November, the Steelers have positioned themselves as sellers — or at least selective buyers. Whether Highsmith follows Porter to Dallas remains to be seen, but the pieces are in place for another Steelers-Cowboys blockbuster.
**Stay tuned to Steelers.com for continuing coverage of this developing story.**
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