The Pittsburgh Steelers sit about three weeks out from 2026 training camp in Latrobe, PA as they get closer to the start of the 2026 NFL regular season. Players and staff went their own ways for some time away from team facilities following rookie minicamp and Organized Team Activities. However, when things ramp back up at the end of July, time is going to progress quickly as they get ready for the first year with Mike McCarthy as head coach. He has tons of work cut out for him as they look to end an extended playoff win drought.
Matt Freed / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike McCarthy works with the team during OTAs.
Joining this new staff in his first year as the head coach is Defensive Coordinator Patrick Graham, who comes over from a Las Vegas Raiders team that lacked star power on defense. Things should be different in the Steel City for him, however, especially when it comes to the edge-rushing trio Pittsburgh has. The top three edge rushers (TJ Watt, Alex Highsmith, and Nick Herbig) will have their chance to really impress their new defensive coordinator as they look to build off a polarizing 2025 season.
On Monday evening, team insider Nick Farabaugh made an appearance on 93.7 The Fan to discuss some big storylines ahead of 2026 training camp. He was asked about the edge-rushing trio and if fans could see different things installed to get all three of them on the field at once. His answer should provide much excitement, especially for the first-year defensive coordinator of the Black and Gold.
“Yeah, I’m sure we will see some stuff,” Farabaugh said. “I think we’re going to see some three outside linebacker packages. I think we’re going to see some Nick Herbig working over the middle of the defense. I think it’s mostly going to be Herbig working over the middle. I think that’s his specialty honestly in some respects. With how good he works in space, he defeats these B gap and A gap blockers really well. He’s generally just been able to destroy them. And the way Watt and Highsmith haven’t necessarily been able to tailor their game too, I think that’s going to be part of this progression to get Nick Herbig on the field more.”
Herbig was locked down long-term by the franchise this offseason by signing a four-year, $100 million extension, with $42 million of that guaranteed. Now, it appears his fellow playmakers at the position could be on the field with him all at the same time in the 2026 season.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers edge rushers Nick Herbig (left), Alex Highsmith (middle), and TJ Watt (right) listen to the anthem before an NFL game in 2023 at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA.
If so, this optimizes the talent that the Pittsburgh defense has on the field all at once in the upcoming season.
Steelers' Passing Defense Will Be A Focal Point For Graham In 2026
The passing defense plagued Pittsburgh in the 2025 season, as they finished 29th in the league by allowing 243.9 yards through the air in that metric. Where they can tremendously improve that number is in an improved secondary. That secondary will welcome in new faces in safety Jaquan Brisker and cornerback Jamel Dean.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers' new safety Jaquan Brisker works out in Organized Team Activities in Pittsburgh in May of 2026.
However, that responsibility may not all fall on the shoulders of the secondary for the 2026 season entirely. While they will need considerably improved play in that department, this latest mention of some unique packages on defense by Farabaugh could add another layer of protection in the passing defense. Should all three be on the field at once in 2026, this puts even more pressure on the opposing quarterback to make quick decisions with the football.
What do you think of Farabaugh's comments about the Steelers likely deploying some new defensive packages in 2026 featuring the team's star edge rushers? Be sure to follow us for more news!
#SteelerNation