Nick Herbig
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Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Omar Khan addressed edge rusher Nick Herbig's future with the team at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine.
Early in T.J. Watt’s career, the Pittsburgh Steelers often didn’t have enough edge rushing depth. But with Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig and other edge defenders on the roster, the Steelers now have a different problem — paying them all.
Watt and Highsmith are signed to long-term deals. Both contracts, though, are expensive. That could prevent the team from inking another edge rusher to a notable contract.
That’s where Herbig enters the conversation. Herbig is entering a contract year in 2026. Pundits have already speculated that he is a trade candidate for the Steelers this offseason.
Pittsburgh general manager Omar Khan, though, went in a different direction when addressing the team’s “No. 3 edge rusher” at the NFL Scouting Combine. Khan told reporters the Steelers intend to have Herbig continue to play in Pittsburgh.
“He’s obviously someone that we’d like to have around for a long time,” Khan said Tuesday, via Steelers Now’s Alan Saunders. “You know, this defense has been based on those outside pass rushers for a long time, so you can’t ever have enough of them.”
Herbig has 16 sacks, 23 tackles for loss and 32 quarterback hits in 45 career NFL games. He’s also improved over his three-year tenure with the Steelers.
In 2025, Herbig posted career-highs of 7.5 sacks, 13 tackles for loss, 18 quarterback hits and three pass defenses. He also had three forced fumbles and his first career interception.