Despite fierce trade speculation, the Pittsburgh Steelers plan to keep their rising pass rusher Nate Herbig long-term.
Speculation has swirled outside the organization that the Pittsburgh Steelers might trade outside linebacker Nick Herbig.
Herbig is stuck behind T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith on the depth chart. Thus, snaps can be limited at times for Herbig.
However, Herbig has been productive during his three-year career. That is why the Steelers want to keep Herbig rather than trade him and are thinking of signing the 24-year-old to an extension before his rookie contract expires at the end of next season.
"He wants to play more," Pittsburgh general manager Omar Khan said of Herbig. "I think we'd all like to have Nick on the field more. He's obviously someone that we'd like to have around for a long time. This defense has been based on those outside pass rushers for a long time, so you can't ever have enough of them."
Though Watt is a former NFL Defensive Player of the Year and Highsmith has been a Pro Bowl selection, former defensive coordinator Teryl Austin found ways to get Herbig on the field with that pair. Presumably, new DC Patrick Graham will try to do the same thing.
Herbig produced like a full-time starter last season when the Steelers won the AFC North title for the first time since 2020.
Despite starting just six of the 15 games he played and being on the field for 52% of the defensive snaps, Herbig had 7 ½ sacks, three forced fumbles, and one interception. He finished second on the team in sacks to Highsmith, who recorded 9 ½.
Pro Football Focus’ grading system had Herbig as the sixth-best edge rusher in the NFL with an 87.3 mark. Herbig’s pass rush grade was also 87.3 as he added 18 quarterback hits.
Herbig was Pittsburgh’s fourth-round draft pick in 2023 from Wisconsin. Herbig played in all 17 games as a reserve in his rookie season and had three sacks and two forced fumbles.
In his second season, Herbig improved and started five of 13 career games. He produced 5 ½ sacks and four forced fumbles.
Then came Herbig’s breakout season in 2025, which makes him an attractive trade target for many teams. The thing is, though, the Steelers want to keep him. For a long time.
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