Nick Herbig Proving He Can Do More Than Rush the Passer

When the Pittsburgh Steelers gave linebacker Nick Herbig a contract extension this past summer, eyebrows were raised not only in Steelers Nation but across the league, especially considering Herbig’s role as a rotational player, often substituting for starters T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith when they need a breather or are inactive due to injury.

But as analyst Matt Williamson points out on a recent post on his X account, Herbig trails only Will Anderson of the Houston Texans on a chart that illustrates ‘EDGE pass rush win rate vs run defense impact play rate’, suggesting that Herbig is well on his way to becoming a complete linebacker, not just a pass rush specialist.

From @SamHoppen
Will Anderson is having an INCREDIBLE year, but I am also tired of hearing Herbig isn’t worth the $$$#Steelers pic.twitter.com/rO1a4LGeVG

— Matt Williamson (@WilliamsonNFL) October 8, 2026

From @SamHoppen
Will Anderson is having an INCREDIBLE year, but I am also tired of hearing Herbig isn’t worth the $$$#Steelers pic.twitter.com/rO1a4LGeVG

— Matt Williamson (@WilliamsonNFL) October 8, 2026

Herbig has been adapting to playing the different positions in this defense, and specifically on defending the run from different alignments.

“Yeah, definitely working on it everyday,” Herbig said after practice on 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 positions has given Herbig an increased opportunity for playing time alongside Watt and Highsmith, but it has also meant a steep learning curve, especially when it comes to his snaps at off-ball linebacker.

“I like being able to be on the field with all the guys, being able to showcase different abilities that I can do,” Herbig said. “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.”

While stopping the run is always an important theme for the Steelers defense, when looking to the game against the Indianapolis Colts on the horizon this Sunday, it’s a heightened level of awareness when facing a running back of Jonathan Taylor’s caliber.

“He’s elite,” Herbig said. “One of the best guys in the NFL, and he’s been that for a couple of years now, so we’re gonna have to bring our pads on Sunday.”

So, while he has yet to make some of the game changing splash plays that Steelers fans have become accustomed to seeing from him so far this season, Herbig, 24, is still making his presence felt, and with his young age and desire to constantly improve all areas of his game, it’s just a matter of time until his hefty contract extension is considered a bargain, rather than a question mark.

Alan Saunders provided reporting from Pittsburgh.