Steelers Rookie Nick Herbig Calls TJ Watt "Like A Brother"; Detailed Why He's A "Different Beast"

Former Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman, Ramon Foster has been driving the Nick Herbig bandwagon the entire 2023 offseason. Now Foster and his podcast co-host are talking about Herbig and his relationship with T.J. Watt and the unique attitude that Herbig is employing to prepare for the 2023 season. 

Foster co-hosts a podcast on DK Pittsburgh Sports with reporter Dejan Kovacevic called The Ramon Foster Show. On a recent episode, the two were discussing Herbig, an outside linebacker, and how humble he was during an interview with Kovacevic. During the same interview, Herbig also acknowledged that he is learning exactly how he fits into the team and it is not just on defense.

Steelers' Herbig Attached To Watt's Hip While He Learns His Place On The Team

Both Herbig and Watt played football for the University of Wisconsin and this gives them a special bond. Since arriving in Pittsburgh, Herbig, who was drafted in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, and Watt have made no secret of the fact that Watt is mentoring him. Herbig says he really can't express enough how much this means to him. 

"That's somebody I've looked up to my whole career and just now getting a chance to play with him and learn from him, it's unbelievable. He's like a brother to me. I love being out there with him, every chance I get, I pick his brain."

Being in Pittsburgh gives Herbig an opportunity to learn from one of the best EDGE rushing duos in the NFL - Watt and Alex Highsmith. Watt is well known throughout the NFL for not only his freakish athletic abilities, but also his intense work ethic and commitment to continue to improve. Highsmith, who is entering his fourth season in the NFL and with the Steelers, has made incredible leaps in production each season. He has made those gains through fierce determination and a work ethic that matches Watt's. These are attributes that Herbig said he admires and it's why he stays attached to Watt.    

"He's a different beast. You can tell why he's the best in the game, you can tell why he does what he does on Sundays. The way he prepares, what he does when the lights are off and nobody is looking, nobody is watching. I am just in his hip pocket, trying to be like that."

But Herbig is no fool. While he is certainly hoping he gets a shot to prove his worth during some defensive snaps, he knows his bread and butter to start out is special teams. He acknowledged that during the Q&A with Kovacevic, he said his main focus is special teams, and that he is working on developing his form and technique, trying to perfect his craft during that phase of the game. 

The hard work showed during every snap Herbig played during the Steelers' three preseason games and he was incredible. He was able to register six pressures and four sacks while on the field for 44 pass-rushing snaps. This has allowed him to quiet some of the critics who have said he is too small to play EDGE and predicted he would be pushed inside.  

Foster said that fans should not be dismissive of players who start on special teams, a lot of major defensive weapons got their start there including Steelers legends James Harrison, Brett Keisel, and Troy Polamalu. He is impressed by what he sees so far.

"My impression of him? Insanely mature, aware," said Foster. "The fact that he is mentioning, 'My job is special teams' and to make plays there. In Pittsburgh, a lot of guys make their hay on special teams. A lot of guys figure out how tough they are because of special teams."

Both Kovacevic and Foster find it remarkable that he is willing to work so hard alongside Watt. They also commented that it takes real humility for a young player to acknowledge they can't go straight to the top. He has shown that he has serious potential and knows that the reason Watt is so good is because of what he does off the field, even more than what he does on the field, and he will have to work in a similar manner to be a starter. 

"Just knew Nick Herbig would be a guy to pull his own. That's all you're asking from him, you're not asking him to be T.J. Watt or Alex Highsmith or anybody else. Just do that thing that you do well," said Foster.

With the addition of Herbig and Markus Golden, the Steelers are in excellent EDGE rushing shape, according to Kovacevic. He said that the impact of such strong depth cannot be ignored. 

"You've got a situation where the EDGE rushers are back to being not a strength, but the strength, of this football team, not of this defense, of this football team. That's really different from where things were just a year ago," said Kovacevic.

Foster agreed and said that so many people get credit for this - general manager, coaching staff, other players, etc. He added that it is a whole team effort and it really makes a difference when you can have depth come in and not cause a drop off in production. Kovacevic added that Watt and Highsmith also benefit from this depth, it makes them the best versions of themselves and they have both expressed how happy they are to have Herbig on the team.  

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