The Pittsburgh Steelers have gotten off to a good start in 2025 as the team has a 3-1 record heading into Week 6. Pittsburgh has a pretty firm lead in the AFC North as the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals have had nightmare beginnings to the new campaign, and the Cleveland Browns continue to be the stereotypical Cleveland Browns. Fans were worried after the season began as the defense for Pittsburgh looked a little shaky, but the group has stacked a couple of decent performances and should be closer to full health now after the bye week.
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Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin during a preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, on Saturday August 9, 2025 in Jacksonville, FL.
The defense has begun to play as it was expected to before the season began, as throughout the first three weeks of the season, it seemed like the group couldn't stop anything. Injuries have been an issue, especially in the secondary, but the standard is high for that unit as it is the highest-paid defense in the league.
One bright spot has been outside linebacker Nick Herbig. He has been started in place of an injured Alex Highsmith and he has been playing great football. He recently joined former NFL quarterback Cody Kessler on The Arena Gridiron, and he shared how he goes about his game days.
"Man, honestly, I try to stay as calm as I can up until kickoff," Herbig explained. "Try to contain myself, try, not to save energy, but in a way like, you don't want to peak too early. I've seen a lot of interviews and looked at a lot of high level athletes who have done it on the biggest stage, it's all about keeping your composure. Staying calm in the biggest moments."
Herbig went on to mention that earlier in his professional career, he would wake up and be hype throughout the entire day leading up to the game. He has made sure to change that while taking notes from some of the other great athletes in the world. He referenced other athletes at the highest level that accomplish their goals, and he has noticed that they all keep their composure. A great example of this would be Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA. He remains calm, even when he is having one of the best seasons in NBA history.
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Steelers edge rusher Nick Herbig raises his arms in the air while the team works out during a 2025 training camp practice at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
Herbig has been an above-average player ever since he was drafted by Pittsburgh back in 2023. He would likely be a starter on every other team in the league, but Pittsburgh has Highsmith above him (and rightfully so). However, Highsmith has been out for the last two games, and Herbig is making an argument that he should probably be on the field more.
The young outside linebacker missed the first game of the season, but he returned in Week 2 and immediately made his presence known as he recording an interception. In his second game of the season against the New England Patriots, he recorded a sack and a forced fumble, and in Ireland he tallied three quarterback hits and one-and-a-half sacks.
Steelers' Nick Herbig Is Winning At A High Clip
As an outside linebacker in Pittsburgh's defense, it is key that Herbig can be a force in the run game, while also being able to provide pressure when playing the pass. In 2025, Herbig has been one of the best players in the league at rushing the passer, as he has the highest recorded pass-rush win-rate, which is a stat from Pro Football Focus.
Gene J. Puskar / ap photo
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig (#51) plays in a NFL preseason football game against the Buffalo Bills at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh on Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023.
Steelers fans are likely familiar with the data point due to it being the main reason Myles Garrett was able to win the NFL's AP Defensive Player of the Year Award after the 2023 season, even though TJ Watt had better numbers in nearly every major statistical category.
What do you think of Herbig's performance so far in 2025? Let us know in the comments below!
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