The Pittsburgh Steelers opened their wallet for OLB Nick Herbig to the tune of $100 million over four years. Not bad for a player who has never started a full season in the NFL. Even Ben Roethlisberger wasn’t making that much per year until the final few seasons of his career, a jarring reminder of how much the salary cap has increased over the last decade.
Teammates and coaches reacted to the big news online and in Wednesday media sessions, expressing how deserved the life-changing money is for Herbig.
“Incredibly happy,” T.J. Watt said in a clip shared by 93.7 The Fan. “Truly so happy for him. Just the amount of work going back to college working with him, seeing how much he loves the process, loves the game, how much it means to him. It’s truly genuine.”
Both Wisconsin Badgers, Watt has been assisting with Herbig’s career since the latter’s sophomore year of college after the two met at a Pro Day event. Since Pittsburgh drafted him, Herbig has stuck to Watt’s hip. The pair have frequently worked out together every offseason.
After Herbig notched his first big play in the NFL, Watt was there to coach him through the adrenaline-fueled blackout as he attempted to celebrate. Now both are in the $100-million club as some of the best pass rushers in the league.
Patrick Queen voiced his support with an Instagram story that simply read “Grinded. Balled. Deserved.”
And for all the drama that may ensue in the media surrounding Alex Highsmith being paid less than backup Nick Herbig, the veteran was happy for his teammate, via Instagram:
“Deserved,” Highsmith wrote.
Fellow Wisconsin teammate from the 2023 draft class Keeanu Benton attended Herbig’s press conference Wednesday. Benton is also awaiting potential contract extension news this offseason.
#Steelers DL Keeanu Benton, who is also in the final year of his rookie contract, just showed up at Nick Herbig's news conference to support his former college teammate as he signed his 4-year, $100 million deal
— 93.7 The Fan (@937theFan) June 3, 2026
Head coach Mike McCarthy also reacted during his Wednesday media availability and was “thrilled” with the news.
“You play players that deserve it,” he said.
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