The Pittsburgh Steelers are undergoing a lot of change this offseason, most notably bringing in Mike McCarthy as their new head coach to replace Mike Tomlin. The Steelers also made a big trade for Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. to pair with DK Metcalf.
However, outside of that, the Steelers will have a lot of familiar faces on the roster next year. Aaron Rodgers is back at quarterback and T.J. Watt is back on the defensive line. On Tuesday, the Steelers made a move to keep another defensive stalwart around when they signed linebacker Nick Herbig to a four-year, $100 million contract extension.
After signing the deal, Herbig was asked about his role for the upcoming season and took the ultimate team approach, via ESPN's Brooke Pryor.
“I wouldn't call myself not a starter,” Herbig said on Tuesday, per Pryor. “I'm a team guy. If you need me to play off the ball, on the ball, need me to run down on punt, I'm a Steeler. There's no starters and backups. I'm a Steeler.”
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Herbig is a versatile piece who can play both on the ball and on the edge when Watt or Alex Highsmith needs a rest. In three seasons, he has recorded 16 sacks and 23 tackles for loss and only seems to be getting better, so this is a good investment for the Steelers.
Herbig had a career year a season ago, recording 7.5 sacks and 13 tackles for loss in just 15 games. With a bigger role in 2026, it's feasible that he could continue to improve on those numbers again and become one of the top young pass rushers in the AFC.
Next up for an extension in Pittsburgh is likely cornerback Joey Porter Jr., who immediately stepped into the role as the Steelers' best cornerback after being selected in the first round in 2023. When the Steelers inevitably sign the Penn State product to a big contract extension, they will have a couple of franchise cornerstones on defense locked up for the foreseeable future as they move into the McCarthy era.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are undergoing a lot of change this offseason, most notably bringing in Mike McCarthy as their new head coach to replace Mike Tomlin. The Steelers also made a big trade for Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. to pair with DK Metcalf. However, outside of that, the Steelers will have a lot of familiar faces on the roster next year.