The Pittsburgh Steelers had to prioritize a few contract extensions this offseason. Of them all, Nick Herbig’s seemed to be the most complicated. Yet, before Joey Porter Jr., Darnell Washington, or Keeanu Benton, the Steelers have reportedly agreed to terms with Herbig on a massive four-year extension.
It will pay him $100 million over the course of those four years, with $42 million of that guaranteed. That equates to a great bargain for Pittsburgh in the eyes of former Steeler Trai Essex.
“This is one helluva deal for the Steelers. I know he hasn’t started and doesn’t have the numbers to justify a mega deal, but in a market where the best at his position are making 50 milly [million] per [year], I am more than OK that the Steelers are betting half that on the potential Herbig has shown thus far,” Essex wrote in a tweet posted Tuesday.
And this is one helluva deal for the Steelers. I know he hasn’t started and doesn’t have the numbers to justify a mega deal, but in a market where the the best at his position are making 50 milly per, I am more than OK that the Steelers are betting half that on the potential… https://t.co/t9TqFsAXLU
— Trai Essex (@TraiDay79) June 2, 2026
As Essex alludes to, it’s rare for players who haven’t had full-time starting experience to get this much money. But for what it’s worth, Herbig has 11 starts over the last two years when filling in for injuries. And despite never receiving more than 60 percent of the defensive snaps, he’s been consistently impressive when on the field.
The potential is clear to see, and while $100 million is a lot for an extension, the position Herbig plays isn’t exactly cheap. In terms of annual average value (AAV), he isn’t close to the top. Per Over The Cap, Herbig’s AAV of $25 million would be the 16th-highest of all edge rushers. It’s only half of Will Anderson Jr.’s AAV, $50 million.
Herbig’s not a full-time starter, but the Steelers might try to find ways to get their top-three edge rushers on the field more often. Although they’re reportedly comfortable keeping T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith for 2026, maybe one of them gets moved after the season. At the very least, Herbig’s new contract will expire after each of theirs.
Down the road, the Steelers may have some tough choices to make. However, Nick Herbig is a talented young edge rusher whom the Steelers clearly prioritize, given this extension. The deal will keep him in Pittsburgh well into the foreseeable future, and Essex thinks it could represent great value in the coming years.
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