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

Yep. And 3 year's in he's much better than any of the players you listed (in their first 3 years).

And if we're only comparing the first 3 years, he's miles better than Ike.

Which means that at this point in his career, he's the best CB we've drafted since Woodson.

Part of that is that Porter is genuinely good.

The other part is that we were bad at / didn't prioritize drafting CBs under both Cowher and Tomlin.

Porter's "problem" re: probowl is that he doesn't really generate INTs. But despite consistently facing good WRs, he only gives up 54% cmp% (under 50% for 2/3 years). And he's only given up 1 TD in 2672 snaps...and zero TDs since his rookie year.

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/P/PortJo02.htm

 

This one grew some legs for sure.

I mentioned about a Highsmith trade before the draft.. I'm still thinking they tossed that out there, I know there's denial.
While Highsmith does play at a "Keeper" level, they can garner so capital and get younger.
I think TJ is untradeable... maybe not but that's my thought.
I think Herbig is developing into a good player and TJ and Alex have been nice mentors for him.
I don't think Herbig can play a role like Clay Matthews but maybe a different sort of tool in the system.
I also do think, the LB's will be playing different roles in this system.

 

How is that arguable among the sane? Herbig hasn't even been a starter yet.

 

But Herbig's new deal doesn't kick in until 2027 he might be a starter by then.

 

DK, Queen, and now Herbig.

https://overthecap.com/salary-cap/pittsburgh-steelers#google_vignette


You should be more worried about the Steelers’ cap management. We’ve burned a ton of cap space on big contracts that haven’t panned out relative to their cost — DK Metcalf, Patrick Queen, and now Herbig.We would’ve received a likely 3rd-round comp pick if we had just let Herbig walk, but instead we overpaid him too.

I’ll wait and see if we can actually trade Watt or Highsmith.

Now on Porter, pay the man! He is worth the price.

 

Porter Jr is the best CB they have had since Ike Taylor.

 

I meant that I don't think they would give the green dot to Watt, Highsmith, or Herbig, so they wouldn't be directly replacing Queen.

 

He already cut down on his penalties and was exceptional in coverage this past season. No, he's not great in run support, but he is excellent at his primary job. He is one of the best player's on that defense and has proven a hell of a lot more than Herbig, so yes, they should be signing him.

 

Ok

 

I like Herbig, but Porter is better at his position than Herbig is.

Herbig has the advantage of playing the most valuable position on defense. And he does the thing that gets those guys paid.

My guess is that Porter is at least in the top 6 CBs APY after his contract is signed (> $24mm apy).

Hopefully, we can keep it under $30mm/year so that he's not in the top 3. If I had to bet, this would be my bet. High $20mm's, but not $30mm.

But I won't be super-surprised if he ends up something like 2nd between $30mm and $31mm. Cap inflation is a *****.

Gardner ($30.1mm...6 years?) and Stingley ($30mm...5 years) signed last year, so maybe he passes them. Hopefully not.

McDuffie signed this year ($31mm apy 5 years). Porter should not pass him. McD has 1x 1st team AP. 1x 2nd team AP. Oddly, no probowls (how can you be 1st team AP, but not PB?).

Of course, structure matters at least as much as APY...maybe more.

 

Queen, Rodgers, and Heyward will likely be off the books next year, and they won't be paying a franchise QB they will be fine with the cap.

 

So, you are just trolling because you've got nothing but claims you can't support, as usual. Got it.

 

Nope

Read what I posted again

 

Yep.

And the penalties thing is mostly just a talking point IMO. I don't think he's crazily out of line with other guys who travel with elite WRs.

For example:

He had 2 more penalties than Gardiner in 2024 (12 vs 10)

And one fewer penalty than Gardiner in 2025 (6 vs 7).

But it's fun to say things like "he should change the color of his gloves" or something...so it becomes a thing people repeat.

 

Your responses to me are empty trolling.

 

I tried to be kind

And this is why I will stop responding to you again

You misread a post of deliberately changed what I said just so you could start an argument

Then you blatantly lie and call me a troll

This is why no one likes you

Do better get the last word in and goodbye

 

There. Do you feel better now? You made those two noncommittal, worthless posts to draw out a response so you could have an excuse to do this again. I saw what you were doing, so I cut to the chase. You're welcome. I'm sorry that my honest and accurate posts about your hero on the other thread made you feel it was necessary to pull this crap again. Now don't let the door hit ya where the good lord split ya.

Can we please get back to discussing actual news about the team now? Thank you.

 

Love the cherry picking by Kaboly in this one.

Now just do last season.

Or even the last two.

 

This looks good for the deal IMO. Although I wonder if there are comps closer to his age.

The question will be whether Herbig can handle a higher load without (1) a big dropoff in the rate of his production (rate will almost certainly fall with more snaps, but hopefully not a ton), and (2) getting injured.

 

How is he cherry picking?

Herbig has been in the NFL for three seasons and he is listing all the stats since he has been in the NFL against the stats of the other starting OLB's.

 

Basing it on games is misleading minutes or snaps would more relevant

 

Yep.

I pretty much always think rate stats are more useful

I think they'll dramatically favor Herbig here (especially snaps). Because he has a different role.

I like the extension...was hoping it would be cheaper, but also thought he'd play out the year and go to UFA (because there was little chance we pay the tag for an edge rusher). Which means that it's probably reasonable.

My point here is that he specifically kept in 3 years ago to try to mask Watt's obvious decline.