When the Pittsburgh Steelers dropped a contract extension on linebacker Nick Herbig this past summer, people across the league, and definitely in Steelers Nation, raised some serious eyebrows. The guy was a rotational player, mostly just spelling T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith when they needed a break or were out with an injury. But man, has Herbig ever started to make that deal look smart.
The Numbers Don’t Lie: Herbig’s True Impact
Forget the “rotational player” label. Analyst Matt Williamson just put out a post on X that’s got everyone talking, showing a chart that tracks “EDGE pass rush win rate vs run defense impact play rate.” And guess who’s right there at the top, trailing only Will Anderson of the Houston Texans? Yep, Nick Herbig. That’s a huge shout-out, proving Herbig is legitimately on his way to becoming a complete linebacker, not just some pass rush specialist. It shows he’s not just getting after the QB, but he’s also making a difference stopping the run, which is exactly what a team wants from a hefty investment.
Adapting to the Grind and Loving the Challenge
Herbig isn’t shying away from the new challenges either. He’s been adapting to playing different positions in that defense, especially when it comes to defending the run from varying alignments. “Yeah, definitely working on it everyday,” Herbig said after practice Thursday. “It’s obviously different for me. It’s a challenge, but I accept it, and you know it’s fun, it’s been fun.” Playing more spots means more snaps, more time on the field with Watt and Highsmith, which is awesome. But it’s also a steep learning curve, especially taking snaps at off-ball linebacker. He knows it too. “I like being able to be on the field with all the guys, being able to showcase different abilities that I can do,” Herbig explained. “it’s definitely harder than it looks for sure. I respect that position a lot more, because there’s a lot more going on you know, you’re not just on the ball, but it’s fun, it’s good fun.” You gotta respect a guy who embraces that kind of grind.
This Sunday, the Steelers are squaring off against the Indianapolis Colts, and stopping the run is going to be HUGE. You’re talking about Jonathan Taylor, who Herbig calls “elite” and “one of the best guys in the NFL,” someone who’s “been that for a couple of years now.” Herbig’s ready for it, saying, “we’re gonna have to bring our pads on Sunday.” He might not have made the kind of game-changing splash plays we’re used to seeing from him *yet* this season, but Herbig is absolutely making his presence felt. At just 24 years old and with that drive to constantly improve, it really feels like it’s only a matter of time until that contract extension isn’t just justified, it’s an absolute steal.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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