Steelers Will Have 0 Major Free Agents In 2024 Once Alex Highsmith Signs His Extension

The Pittsburgh Steelers have had a busy offseason in 2023, but it seems as if it will be significantly easier next year. They're getting the work done now to save time and cap resources for the 2024 offseason. The biggest free agent for the Steelers in 2024 is currently Alex Highsmith, but that could easily change in the next couple of months, as his agent has started negotiating an extension with the Steelers. If Highsmith and the Steelers do come to an agreement for an extension, there aren't many players left for the organization to prioritize for next offseason. 

Highsmith is looking for a big extension after breaking out in 2022. Despite TJ Watt missing about half of the season, Highsmith was still able to rack up 14.5 sacks on the year and become statistically a top five edge rusher in the NFL. With the Steelers' defense known to struggle as a collective unit when Watt is down, Highsmith's emergence proves that he is more than just a complementary player similar to what Bud Dupree was for the Steelers.

Omar Khan has shown in his first full year with the team that he is not afraid to give out money. Unlike Kevin Colbert, he did not hesitate to guarantee money past the first year for players, with Minkah Fitzpatrick and Chris Boswell getting their bags and securing their places on the team for at least a few years. Highsmith and his agent will look to use the extensions of Watt, Fitzpatrick and Boswell to his advantage, as well as his most recent season to try and get as much money as he can. 

Other Steelers' Free Agents for 2024

Levi Wallace was a very solid cornerback as the #2 option behind Cameron Sutton in 2022. However, with Patrick Peterson signing a two-year deal, Joey Porter Jr. being drafted, and Cory Trice Jr. being an option, this is likely Wallace's last year as a starter. Porter will likely rotate with Peterson while Trice should see limited action this season. Wallace and Peterson should be the starters until Porter adjusts to the speed of the game at the NFL level and is able to play more snaps. 

Wallace is still a quality corner and unless he falls off skill-wise, he will want to be a starter, and will look for another starting opportunity in 2024. If he does want to come back, he will come back at a reduced contract and probably a reduced role. The Steelers would be happy to keep him as a depth option and another veteran presence in a cornerback room that's getting younger, but it likely wouldn't happen, and the reduced role would make Wallace not be a must re-sign.

Similar to Wallace, Montravius Adams will likely start at nose tackle until second-round rookie, Keeanu Benton, is ready to take over. Adams will also likely split time with Benton and Larry Ogunjobi in the middle. Adams and Benton will play when Ogunjobi is at the DE position. Also like Wallace, Adams will probably want to leave in free agency to have a better role than he would have if he stayed with the Steelers in 2024. Benton and Ogunjobi will most likely be the full-time starters in 2024.

Zach Gentry slowly and steadily climbed the depth chart to be the TE2 for the Steelers for the last year and a half. However, with Darnell Washington being drafted, Gentry will go back to being a TE3. Even though Gentry did come back on a one-year deal, he likely will not return in 2024 with the two young, electric tight ends limiting his snap count for 2023. The fifth-round project was only able to get one full year of consistent playing time and it's already over.

Since Highsmith will likely sign an extension, Markus Golden's future with the team will depend on how he plays. If he can be the solid depth piece or even the third edge rusher that the Steelers hope he can be, they might give him another contract. With Watt and Highsmith on the team, Golden wouldn't be a priority.