The Pittsburgh Steelers have made a flurry of moves this week. The first was an extension for Nick Herbig, tying him to the Steelers beyond 2026. Although it’s a good problem to have, it does create something of a logjam at edge rusher along with T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith. But analyst Gregg Rosenthal is still very inpressed with the business the Steelers are doing.
“I do think it’s fascinating, they got a guy in Nick Herbig, that got a four-year extension from the Steelers for $100 million, only $42 million guaranteed. So that might really be more like a two to three-year deal, if for whatever reason it didn’t go well. I think it’s going to age really well,” Rosenthal said Wednesday on his NFL Daily podcast. “He’s really averaging closer to $20 million a year, which, for his talent, I think is exceptional.”
That less than half of Herbig’s new money is guaranteed does help the Steelers a little bit. If Herbig doesn’t live up to that deal, it wouldn’t be too hard to get out of before the final year rolls around.
However, Herbig hasn’t given us any reason to doubt him. He’s made just 11 starts through three years, yet has 16 career sacks. And despite starting just six games last year, Herbig put together the best season of his career with 7.5 sacks and 13 tackles for a loss, surpassing Watt in each of those categories.
All signs point to him living up to that extension, if he gets consistent playing time. But Rosenthal wonders how long he can share the room with Watt and Highsmith.
“I just don’t think T.J. Watt’s gonna be very tradeable,” Rosenthal said. “I think they might trade Highsmith after this year, ’cause Watt will be untradeable.”
After signing a massive extension last offseason, Watt’s 2025 season didn’t live up to expectations. Although some think he could still net a first-round pick, Rosenthal’s opinion does make some sense. If he can’t improve on his seven-sack season from last year, it’s hard to see a team giving up anything significant for his contract.
Highsmith, on the other hand, could bring in some value. He was the Steelers’ most productive pass-rusher last year, and would have one year left on his deal after the 2026 season. If he can stay healthy and replicate that success, it’s easy to see him having some value on the market.
Rosenthal does predict the Steelers keep all three of them this season. Which is probably a smart decision, and in line with some recent reporting. But if they move Watt or Highsmith after 2026, he believes it will be Highsmith.
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