Steelers' Nick Herbig Gets Crazy Comparison To Former First-Team All-Pro

The Pittsburgh Steelers have put themselves in a very interesting predicament ahead of the 2026 season. They have three highly-paid edge rushers, despite the fact that teams typically only field two at a time. They have run three-outside linebacker schemes before, but that still takes away a key player at another position in an attempt to maximize the talent on the field. With their refusal to trade anyone, the Steelers will have to find a way to make sure all three of them are happy and get enough reps each week. 

One theory that has been floating around is the idea that the Steelers could use Nick Herbig as an off-ball linebacker to get him on the field more. The thought process is that his size is better suited for that position anyway, and he could still use his explosiveness to make plays all over the field, whether he's blitzing the quarterback from that spot or chasing down the ball carrier.

Jim Wexell seems to be in favor of this idea. While hosting Steel City Insider, he compared Herbig to a player that made a similar move and absolutely thrived in his new role. 

"Zach Baun: same exact size, same college," Wexell said. "He was a backup outside linebacker for four years and then [the Philadelphia Eagles] moved him inside and win a Super Bowl and he's fifth in Defensive Player of the Year voting, made like 150 tackles."

Zach Baun was drafted as an outside linebacker by the New Orleans Saints, where he consistently struggled to get on the field. He had 14 combined starts in those four years and never had a season where he racked up more than 30 tackles. He didn't even register a sack or a takeaway until 2023, his fourth year in the NFL. He eventually signed a one-year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles, where everything changed.

In his first year as an Eagle, Baun dominated the middle of the field. He had 151 tackles to go along with four passes defended, 3.5 sacks, and five forced fumbles. He was a First Team All-Pro, and he got a handful of votes for Defensive Player of the Year. That continued into the playoffs that year, where he recorded an interception and seven tackles in a dominating Super Bowl victory over the Kansas City Chiefs and earned a big-time contract.

Can Steelers Really Make That Work For Them As Well?

There are quite a few differences here between Baun and Herbig. One of them is coaching. Patrick Graham is a well-respected defensive mind in the NFL, but nobody sees him as the same tier of defensive coordinator as Vic Fangio. The Eagles' coordinator is an absolute wizard with his unit, helping everyone to develop properly and reach their peak. Graham may have that ability, but it hasn't been seen yet due to the lack of talent he's had.

At the same time, Herbig is an elite edge rusher, while Baun could never find his form on the outside. The Steelers' star is a menace off the edge that no opposing offensive tackle has been able to stop on a consistent basis. By moving him to inside linebacker, Pittsburgh would miss out on his signature move that leads to so many splash plays on a weekly basis. 

If the Steelers go through with this idea, he most likely wouldn't make a permanent shift to middle linebacker. He would just play that role every now and then to make sure everyone gets the reps that they deserve. He would still fill in for the starters when they need a breather, and he would go back to being a full-time edge rusher if/when one of them got injured. Whether this works at all remains to be seen.

What do you think about Herbig being compared to Baun as a potential position switch candidate? Let us know on X at @Steelers_ChrisB.

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