The Pittsburgh Steelers pass rush has been one of the team’s biggest strengths over the last few seasons. Edge rusher T.J. Watt is one of the most dominant players in football, and his running mate on the defensive line, Alex Highsmith, is also a formidable threat when healthy.
Adding depth to the group, edge rusher Nick Herbig has proven himself to be an asset over two seasons, with the former fourth-round pick tallying 8.5 sacks in that span, including a career-high 5.5 in 2024.
Edge rusher isn’t a pressing need for Pittsburgh this offseason, but TWSN’s Marissa Myers still believes general manager Omar Khan should pull off a blockbuster trade for Dallas Cowboys superstar pass rusher Micah Parsons, assuming he becomes available.
Pittsburgh already has a strong duo in TJ Watt and Alex Highsmith, but adding Parsons would create a strong trio for the foreseeable future and ensure injuries won’t hinder the group.
With Parsons ability to thrive all over the defense it would create many creative packages for Teryl Austin. In addition, this move makes the most sense as an outcome due to Parsons being from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, it would give him the opportunity to return to his home state to play during the peak of his career
Parsons has been one of the most electric defensive players in the NFL since entering the league in 2021. The 25-year-old has totaled 12 sacks or more in each of his first four seasons and posted over 100 quarterback pressures in 2022 and 2023.
Parsons stated in June of last year that he has no interest in playing anywhere but Dallas. However, in a hypothetical scenario, the four-time Pro Bowler said the Steelers are the only other team he would consider playing for, primarily because of head coach Mike Tomlin.
The former Penn State standout would be an exhilarating fit in Pittsburgh, as Parsons and Watt would form a generational pass-rushing duo, and it would be a homecoming for the Pennsylvania native.
However, there are multiple reasons why Parsons to the Steelers has a slim chance of happening in the near future.
Pittsburgh has already invested a ton of money into the edge rusher position, as Watt is on a $112 million contract and could receive a lucrative extension this offseason. Highsmith signed a four-year, $68 million extension during the 2023 offseason and is under contract until 2028.
It’s unlikely Pittsburgh will be able to trade for Parsons and also pay him top-of-the-market money unless they move on from Highsmith or include the former third-round pick in a potential trade package with Dallas.
The Steelers are projected to have around $40 million in cap space this offseason and still have other pressing needs to address, especially at quarterback.
Overall, Parsons to Pittsburgh would be a blockbuster move that would take the Steelers’ defense to the next level. Though the two-time first-team All-Pro could join the franchise later in his career, it’s incredibly unlikely that Parsons will be a Steeler anytime soon.
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