The Pittsburgh Steelers are clearing some salary cap space ahead of the NFL Draft.
The contract of outside linebacker Alex Highsmith has been restructured, converting most of his $10.733 million salary into a signing bonus, NFL Network reported Wednesday.
Highsmith is in the first year of a four-year, $68 million extension he signed last offseason. By converting all but $1.125 million of Highsmith’s salary into a signing bonus, the Steelers will shave $7.2 million off their salary cap this season.
The Steelers entered the week with $12 million in cap space. The signing bonus will be spread out over the life of the contract, which runs through 2027.
The restructure could be an indication the Steelers are exploring a trade to add a veteran salary. They reportedly have been in talks with the San Francisco 49ers about wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk.
Joe Rutter is a TribLive reporter who has covered the Pittsburgh Steelers since the 2016 season. A graduate of Greensburg Salem High School and Point Park, he is in his fifth decade covering sports for the Trib. He can be reached at jrutter@triblive.com.