Steelers’ Solution To Extend Nick Herbig Finally Revealed

The Pittsburgh Steelers enter the 2026 offseason preparing for the future. The organization did a great job at drafting and developing its 2023 class. Multiple starters are in line for new contracts. Pittsburgh has some big decisions to make from now until the 2027 offseason on which players it will decide to keep long-term. One of them is rising edge rusher Nick Herbig, who is coming off a career year, but he had to play behind stars TJ Watt and Alex Highsmith. 

Herbig was drafted in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft and was planned to be a solid depth piece behind Watt and Highsmith. However, Herbig has played well over his value as a fourth-round pick and has been an important part of the Steelers' edge rush rotation. In 2025, the Wisconsin product registered seven and a half sacks in limited playing time. 

He played only 60% of snaps in 2025 and even had more sacks than Watt despite playing 200+ fewer snaps. Herbig will look to get paid soon, whether that's from the Black and Gold or not. Herbig has been speculated to be a trade candidate during this 2026 offseason, and with the emergence of Jack Sawyer as a productive young edge rusher, it is possible. Steelers beat writer Ray Fittipaldo thinks that Pittsburgh will move on from Herbig, unless someone else is dealt.

"Herbig and his agent are well aware of what young and ascending edge rushers can make on the open market, which will make it difficult for the Steelers to sign him to an extension this summer," Fittipaldo wrote. "Barring a trade of Watt or Highsmith — and Khan has given no indication he is willing to part with either — Herbig has to go elsewhere to become a starter and earn a top contract." 

Herbig is only 24-years-old and could have a huge market post-2026. The Steelers have a ton of money invested in Watt and Highsmith, and signing Herbig to a premium deal wouldn't make sense, unless either of those two were moved, Herbig will likely have to go somewhere else if he wants money and more playing time. 

Watt, a former Defensive Player of the Year, is coming off a down year. The Pro Bowler suffered a collapsed lung from dry needling that caused a puncture. Watt missed multiple games due to the freak accident; however, he still wasn't playing like his typical self before that. Herbig stepped up in a big way during his absence, though.

The upside is there with Herbig, and he could find himself making a boatload of money. Herbig's time in Pittsburgh could be coming to an end based on the team's major investments at the position already. 

If Watt doesn't find his groove again in 2026, the Steelers may want to consider keeping Herbig around. The issue is that Watt's contract is huge, and he would be difficult to move on from. It seems that the only answer to keep Herbig in the Steel City is if he's willing to take a pay cut and still play backup, or to trade Highsmith or Watt.

Steelers Have A Potential Watt Problem

If the Steelers can't re-sign Herbig, which is leaning that way as of now, the team will have no choice but to stick with Watt. Watt isn't getting any younger, and his cap hit is large. If he comes back to form, his contract is worth it. However, if 2025 is any sign of his play going forward, this might cause a huge issue in Pittsburgh. Watt's big money is not worth seven sacks, and this will be a big year for him to prove he is still the former All-Pro everyone knows him to be. 

The franchise having a big problem with too many skilled edge rushers is a good one to have; but, if Watt regresses or there is no willingness to move on from the expensive defenders, it presents a different issue. Herbig seems to be on the way out, and Pittsburgh doesn't have the cap space to keep all three stars. 

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