Nick Herbig

In the Steelers’ Week 3 win (21-14) against the Patriots on September 21, 2025, Herbig had a standout game, recording four quarterback hits, one sack, and a forced fumble against rookie QB Drake Maye. He led the NFL in quick pressures (4) that week and was top-5 in total QB pressures. His performance against Patriots’ rookie LT Will Campbell was notable, earning praise for his pass-rushing ability.

While Herbig is not a good run defender he stands out as a pass rusher. Perhaps he can be a nickel backer replacing Queen on passing downs as a linebacker at times. Queen stinks as a cover guy.

If he can stay healthy he offers the defense flexibility in down 2 and 3 in pass situations.

 

Second year QB Drake Maye.

 

So are you suggesting this underpins his performance because QB is in his second year?

 

Not at all. Just a born and bred proofreader.

 

It will be interesting to see what we do when it comes time to decide on an extension for Herbig.

I'd prefer to keep him in the fold. But it will be hard to afford Watt, Highsmith, and Herbig.

And even if we can swing it money wise, Herbig might want to go to a place where he'd start.

 

I agree. Someone is going to offer him starter money.

 

You are like that ex-wife that keeps interrupting your story time to the boys........Don't forget to tell them why you were there. Mmmhmmm, and who had to clean it up?, Why don't you tell them who it was that told you to do that in first place?........lol

 

Nick HerbigTits

 

I believe he said it because the OP said he was a rookie Qb

 

Dude, I don't know about you, but I'm about done on Highsmith, we've had one good year , and a bunch of injuries out of him. I maybe a bit harsh on the injuries, but not the performance.

 

I tend to agree. I'm not at all opposed to offloading him this summer and having Herbig and Sawyer as costarters opposite TJ. It's going to be hard to keep Herbig nonetheless so looking at the draft for a more reliable right side edge would be ideal in the next few drafts.

 

I think I like Highsmith more than most.

Maybe I'm overvaluing the TFL numbers. Especially in years 2 and 3.

Either way, he's under contract until 2027. And we'd have $11.2MM dead money if we traded him at the end of this season. That's not really a Steelers like move IMO.

If we want to extend Herbig, we probably want to do it after this year (while he'll still have 1 year remaining). He'd probably be looking for something that's like an inflation-adjusted version of Highsmith's contract IMO. And I don't know if we can be paying 3 guys starting money at an expensive position like edge.

But I'd certainly be open to trying to trade Highsmith after this year if we can get good value.

I don't think we can really let Herbig play out his contract and tag him given edge salaries. The LB tag this year is $25.4MM. Highsmith's deal was 4 years $68MM.

 

Nick Herbig needs to learn how to stay healthy. If he can do that?! He will no doubt be an asset for certain. Pass rushing has never been his issue.


Will Campbell is playing out of position as I see it. Great LT for LSU but this isn't the SEC. NFL is a different beast all together. For that matter, him not being a LG is a travesty as he does possess All Pro ability there.


Sunday was nothing more than my confirmation of him of what I wrote about him; great athletic ability but his lack of length is going to level him vulnerable against speed rushers. Will faces Myles Garrett up next; an EDGE Demon who has made his career feasting on OTs who lack the tools to stop him.

 

Honestly, we should think about extending Herbig and letting Highsmith walk. Neither are particularly awesome run defenders and both are great at getting pressure. I'd prefer to keep the younger player in Herbig and get him in a good rotation with Sawyer, who is quite stout against the run but still has a way to go to develop as a rusher. They're different body types and having both is a good thing. Herbig will win with speed and finesse while Sawyer is going to have to learn how to use his hands and strength to win (a good person to emulate for him would be Trey Hendrickson). That's how I see it at least. Get Herbig in line for his extension and if we have to deal Highsmith in his final year of his deal so be it....

The other option of course would be to sign the extension for Herbig and deal Watt to a contender for draft capital. Extend Highsmith as well and have them both as our 1-2 punch. It would be great in the pass game, but I would be highly worried with two rather weak run defenders on the edge.

 

LaMarr Woodley all over again. Thing is, Highsmith has far more work ethic than Woodley ever did. How he trains could be the issue though.

 

When giving the second contact to linebackers, if I am okay as long as he makes enough plays vs. the pass and run. ( Sacks , TFL's, Force fumbles and Fumble recoveries, Passed defended and Intercpetons ). He has to be at least average vs the run.


Kahn has had some misses here. Queen is a run defender , and picked on vs. the pass. He cost the Steelers 17.6 Million in cap space. OUCH. Highsmith is decent vs. the run and a good pass rusher but is overpaid, costing the Steelers 18.6 million in cap space.


This is why a rookie like Sawyer has my eye. He is battle tested in college ( vs. the run and pass making big plays ) and has shown some flashes as a Steeler. A good run defender, and a solid pass rusher at a low cap # is very good to have.

Herbig is a player that has been hurt in the past. I don't think he'll have a long NFL shelf life. But he is shining right now.

 

When Steelers pay Herbig....

 

Joel,

When you look at cap space, it's usually a good idea to put it in context by looking at other contracts for the same positions.

Highsmith has a $17MM AAV. He's got the 21st highest AAV for edge rushers. But just looking at the ranking misses some context.

The highest paid edge is Parsons. $45.5MM/year. that's about 2.7x what Highsmith makes.

Crosby is 5th on the list ($35.5MM/year, 2.1x Highsmith)

Bonitto is 10th ($26.5MM ~1.6x)

15th is Rousseau ($20MM, ~ 1.2x)

Then it kind of flattens out. 30th is Landry @ $14MM, ~ 0.8x Highsmith.

We also have to remember that AAV ranking isn't the same thing as ranking "best" guys. Because there are lots of guys on rookie deals who are good and delivering great value.

Also if we're talking about extending Herbig, I think it's unlikely that he signs for something that's less to much less than Highsmith. With the cap inflation that's happened since Highsmith signed and the explosion in edge rusher salaries this year, my guess is that Herbig would be looking for more than Highsmith currently makes. Certainly not less.

And he'd probably get it too. Usually if you sign a guy to start on their 2nd contract, they end up somewhere around the 10th highest AAV if they aren't a start (think Freiermuth's deal). If you aren't willing to pay him that, you typically don't extend him (think Najee).

Maybe it's a little different at high value positions, but look at the insane QB contracts that get inked for guys that most people know aren't that good.

Highsmith is likely getting paid just about right for a guy who's a starter on his second contract.

And since Herbig would likely be a starter if he goes to another team, he'll want that kind of contract to stay IMO.

 

I say Highsmith is overpaid by his cap #, and benefits greatly by teams focusing on Watt.

If he was the primary pass rushing guy like the guys you're mentioning, he would be even less productive.


I don't know what Herbig's second contract will be. But if it high enough to fetch us a 4th round compensatory pick or better I let him walk

As a GM, Kahn has been good with trades ( Grade A ) but average in free agency. ( Grade C+ ) and has cooled off in the draft now that we can evaluate his players drafted ( grade B - ). This is only my opinion.