Entering his fourth NFL season, outside linebacker Nick Herbig has proven himself to be quite an impactful player.
Coming off a career-best 7.5-sack season, Herbig finds himself in line for a significant pay day, either this summer via extension from the Pittsburgh Steelers, or in free agency next offseason on the open market.
For the Post-Gazette’s Ray Fittipaldo, who appeared on the 93.7 The Fan Morning Show Wednesday, he believes that won’t come in Pittsburgh.
“I could see them drafting an edge rusher in the middle or later rounds just because maybe you carry five this year because you sort of know in the back of the mind that you’re probably gonna lose Nick Herbig,” Fittpaldo said. “Unless they would make another deal where they make room for Herbig, this is probably his final year in Pittsburgh.”
There has been plenty of speculation this offseason about a potential trade of veteran Alex Highsmith to create room for Herbig long term, but the Steelers don’t seem interested in doing that. They have shown some interest in retaining Herbig long term via extension, but would the former Wisconsin standout want to sign up long term to be the No. 3 behind Watt and Highsmith and play in more of a rotation rather than seeking a starting role elsewhere?
That seems unlikely.
But there still remains some hope, even if things aren’t looking all that good.
Herbig showed up to the offseason program Tuesday and put in work with his teammates, and he’s expressed time and again how grateful he is to be a Steeler and play with the likes of Highsmith and Watt. Could new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham finally solve how to consistently get all three OLBs on the field at the same time, helping sway Herbig to stay?
I wouldn’t rule it out.
Herbig was very good last season. He graded out among the top 20 pass rushers in football, had those 7.5 sacks and even generated 47 pressures, according to Pro Football Focus. That’s the type of player you want to keep around no matter what.
Based on what Fittipaldo is hearing and thinks though, the 2026 season will be it for Herbig. If it is, hopefully he can put together a monster final season in Pittsburgh and help the Steelers get over the hump in the playoffs, potentially leading to a high compensatory pick in 2028.
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