The Pittsburgh Steelers came away with a win in Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season after beating the New York Jets. Pittsburgh's offense shattered expectations as the group was able to score consistently and put up 34 points in the victory, but the defensive side of the ball for the Steelers left a lot to be desired. New York's offense is not considered to be all that great, which makes the struggles on defense especially concerning for Pittsburgh. There are some reasonable excuses to be made for the defense's poor performance, including health and a questionable scheme.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Outside linebackers Nick Herbig (left) and TJ Watt (right) during 2025 training camp in Latrobe, PA for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Going into the Week 1 matchup against the Jets, it was hard to know what to expect from New York's offense. The group is operating under a new head coach, offensive coordinator, and quarterback. That is hard to game plan for since that group had never taken the field for a real game before, which means Pittsburgh's defense was guessing a bit. Another issue was health, as Pittsburgh lost DeShon Elliott and Joey Porter Jr. during the contest and were without outside linebacker Nick Herbig going into the game.
The young defender spoke to the media on Friday, and he was optimistic that he would be back on the field against the Seattle Seahawks.
OLB Nick Herbig (hamstring) said he’s “very optimistic” he’s going to play on Sunday vs. Seahawks
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) September 12, 2025
Herbig had been dealing with a hamstring injury since the preseason, which is not the first time in his career that this has happened. He has been able to string together some good days of practice leading up to Week 2, which is a good sign that he will be able to go for the home opener against Seattle.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers outside linebacker Nick Herbig raises his arms in the air during a training camp practice in Latrobe, PA.
Herbig is in his third year in the league, and he has been able to produce well while not getting the most opportunities, as he is playing behind TJ Watt and Alex Highsmith. He also allows the coaching staff to be confident in the position while either Watt or Highsmith take a play or two off. This allows the two stars to remain fresh throughout the game, which is crucial for when the game gets close and Pittsburgh needs both players at their best.
The young outside linebacker also adds some talent to the special teams units, as he is a consistent contributor in that regard. He may not be a starter, but he is very important to the team and he would be a valuable, starting edge rusher for nearly every other organization in the NFL. Hopefully this is the last health-related hiccup Herbig faces in the 2025 season, but he does have a history with soft tissue injuries.
Steelers' Nick Herbig Can Make An Immediate Impact For Pittsburgh
Herbig was only able to suit up for 13 games during the 2024 season, but he still managed to register five and a half sacks during the season. In his rookie year during the 2023 season, he recorded just three sacks, which shows considerable improvement from year to year. Hopefully Herbig can continue to build on his success, as Pittsburgh only recorded one sack during the season opener against the Jets.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers outside linebacker Nick Herbig sacks former Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith during a Week 17 game in the 2023 season.
The last time Herbig faced off against the Seahawks he made an incredible impact. He recorded a strip sack late in the game, and also recovered the fumble himself. The game was close, and it was in a situation where Pittsburgh had to win in order to have a shot at making the playoffs. Hopefully the young defender can make a similar play on Sunday, as the Steelers are still looking for their first takeaway on defense.
What do you think about Herbig getting back on the field in Week 2? Let us know in the comments below!
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