Mike McCarthy Reveals Steelers Have Big Changes For Nick Herbig In 2026

The Pittsburgh Steelers ran into what many would consider a good problem when they selected edge rusher Nick Herbig in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. That draft class has turned out so well that Pittsburgh now finds itself facing difficult financial decisions about which young players to extend now and which ones can wait. The challenge with delaying extensions is simple. If a player continues to develop, the price tag usually only increases. At the same time, committing major money to a player with a relatively small sample size can be viewed as a significant risk. When it comes to Herbig, however, Steelers Head Coach Mike McCarthy appears to believe he is an important part of the franchise's future.

McCarthy understands the pressure that comes with leading the Steelers. Fans are desperate to see the organization end its lengthy playoff drought, and scrutiny will begin long before the regular season kicks off. In Pittsburgh, even preseason performances are dissected. That's the reality of coaching one of the NFL's most storied franchises, especially one that hasn't won a playoff game in more than a decade. On Tuesday, reports surfaced that Herbig had agreed to a four-year, $100 million extension. The deal would put him on track to surpass Alex Highsmith's annual salary despite currently sitting behind him on the depth chart.

TJ Watt and Highsmith have long held down the starting edge-rusher spots, but Herbig's production has made it impossible to keep him off the field. Injuries to Highsmith have helped create opportunities for the young pass rusher, and nearly every time Herbig has seen extended snaps, splash plays have followed. Because of Pittsburgh's depth at outside linebacker, some have wondered whether Herbig could take on a different role in 2026, potentially seeing more snaps as an off-ball linebacker. McCarthy appeared to address that possibility while speaking with reporters on Wednesday via the Steelers Team YouTube channel.

"From what I have seen, I think he can play off the ball and obviously clearly on the ball," McCarthy said in regards to Herbig maybe playing more off-ball linebacker in the 2026 season.

For the Steelers, this is one of those situations that can quietly shape the next few years. When you have young talent producing early, the challenge is not just keeping them on the field, but figuring out how to maximize them without creating imbalance elsewhere on the roster.

McCarthy and Steelers GM Omar Khan seriously feel as if they just did that by locking up Herbig for the next several seasons. Now pundits are left wondering if Highsmith could now be a trade piece.

Steelers Secure Value On Herbig, But Take Risk

Herbig’s rise adds another layer to an already deep edge room, and it forces Pittsburgh to think creatively about where he fits long term. Whether that means expanding his role or shifting responsibilities, it is clear the team sees him as more than just a rotational piece.

In a league where development does not always come in a straight line, the Steelers are betting that flexibility will be their advantage. If they get it right, Herbig could end up being one of the defining pieces of their defensive future. This could be one of those deals NFL fans look back on in a couple of years and think is a great price because Khan struck early. On one side, the Steelers secured some possible value on the 24-year-old pass rusher. They also just bet on a small but highly productive sample size.

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