Alex Highsmith started the 2020 regular season as the No. 4 outside linebacker and special teams player for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He quickly moved to special teams ace, and then took over the No. 3 outside linebacker spot. By week 12 Highsmith was taking the vast majority of rotational snaps at outside linebacker, and had joined Jordan Dangerfield as the leading special teams players on the team. That week Bud Dupree was lost for the season, and Highsmith became the Steelers starting outside linebacker on the right side.
He held that job down well. He was a clear drop off from Bud Dupree, but he was doing really well for a rookie.