LB Nick Herbig and the Steelers have agreed on a four-year, $100 million

The back half of 2024 was pretty rough. Whenever he hurt his ankle was the start of the decline.

They can't really cut him until after the 2027 season, so their best hope is for a comeback year and a trade next offseason. I'm assuming that's not going to happen just because he's an edge rusher over the age of 30 who won a lot with speed and athleticism. I suppose you could do a total salary dump type of trade but even that is tough with the guaranteed salaries.

I think the most likely outcome is a cut before 2028. Or if it gets really bad, maybe a retirement. But there's not incentive for Watt to do that unless his body just can't do it anymore.

 

Porter is going to have a 20-25 millions per year contract.....He had a pro bowl caliber season in 2025 even if he did not make the pro bowl.....The pro bowl thing is the last thing we need to judge a player

 

From your mouth to the football gods ears.

 

Interior linemen age better than edge rushers. Watt is not likely to bounce back like that.

Of course, we have some posters who think the Steelers should overpay for loyalty while they continue to let the big names go elsewhere in free agency, then falsely claim that the Herbig deal proves them right, but I'd rather see them play the game to win.

 

Porter should be a priority. He is a much better player than Herbig, who has been dynamic in small doses, but relatively quiet when asked to start. He is young enough to grow into that larger role, but he still has to prove it. Porter has already proven that he can be a No. 1 corner in the NFL.

 

Porter has proven a hell of a lot more than Herbig.

 

And Watt will be a year older next year the return wouldn't be much for him by then.

 

Yup. Perhaps not even that. Has anyone else seen that reported anywhere?

 

They ran some packages with the three of them on the field together in the past. They did the same thing with Watt, Dupree, and Highsmith before Dupree blew out his knee. All three of them have lined up inside at times, so it might not be just one of them. The problem is none of them really replaces Queen unless someone else is wearing the green dot.

 

No way should the Steelers give JPJ 30 million a year.

 

@Animus You were right about the Herbig deal

 

I think it will be around 25 millions per year...This is my prediction!

 

Agreed. As others already said, edge rushers make more money.

I think signing Porter should have been a higher priority because he is a better player, but position partially dictates the amount. He might have been a higher priority, too, but Herbig agreed first.

 

That's what I said yesterday for JPJ actually Herbig got the deal I was thinking JPJ would get 4 years 100 million.

 

Nope

 

only in your mind

 

You have no idea how much that means to me coming from you

 

So, you are happy with him standing on the sideline sitting out practice for the entire off season?

Only to get hurt in week 1 of regular season because he pulled something.

 

You think he will accept less than our backup OLB Nick Herbig?

 

Nick Herbig is a backup OLB; it is not like he is even a starter on this Defense. No way Porter accepts less money than a bench player.

 

Who said Herbig is not the starter on this defense?

 

Well this has nothing to do with my post

It also is kind of nonsensical

But other than that ok

 

Ok

 

Only player that I see them trading as of current is Alex Highsmith. That said, if the goal is to go all in for Aaron Rodgers final ride, trading him defeats that purpose. If anything, trading Highsmith in 2027 is more feasible.


My personal question now is when is the Peezy Jr extension coming?!

 

I bookmarked this so when he signs for $40M per year I can be the first to congratulate you on your prognostication