Welcome to the terrible take and many podcasts telling Steelers nation what's on our mind.

I'm Josh Carney.

As the start of another edition of Pittsburgh Steelers training camp at St. Vincent College in the

Lake Trob draws near, anticipation surrounding

the 2023 season increases overall.

Plenty of intrigue and big storylines lie ahead for the Steelers in Laitrobe.

But one storyline I could do without this year is the Alex Highsmith contract negotiations

and any sort of use of the word distraction

when it comes to said negotiations.

The athletics Mark Koboli brought negotiations

to the forefront Monday, stating that a potential

hold-in by Highsmith during training camp like T.J. Watt and Deontay Johnson once did, could create a distraction for the Steelers, highlighting it as the biggest

concern for the team entering training camp.

That seems a bit ridiculous, no?

The only way it becomes a quote distraction end quote

is if media members like Koboli track every move Highsmith makes, ask his teammates about

a potential hold-in, and constantly try to make Highsmith wanting what he deserves financially as some sort of negative story.

It happens every year in contract negotiations.

It becomes a distraction when the media makes it one.

The Holdins really don't matter and haven't affected the last two Steelers to do so, that being Watt and Johnson.

Watt came out to open the 2021 season after signing a record-breaking deal to become the highest

paid defensive player and recorded two sacks of buffaloes Josh Allen in the season opener.

...