Coming off 1st career sack, Nick Herbig knows his role still mostly special teams for Steelers

In crediting Pittsburgh Steelers fans, rookie Nick Herbig let it slip the confidence he has in himself to beat NFL offensive tackles.

An outside linebacker the Steelers drafted in the fourth round in April, Herbig explained his takedown of Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford during the second quarter of Sunday’s 24-17 Steelers victory in Inglewood, Calif.

“Every time we were on defense, the crowd was into it,” Herbig said after giving a “shout out” to the tens of thousands of Steelers fans who showed up in Southern California. “So (the Rams) kind had to go silent count, (meaning) me and the tackle are both going off (the sight of the snap of) the ball.

“And I like my chances in that situation.”

Herbo with his first career sack ???? @nickherbig_

????: #JAXvsPIT 10/29 at 1 PM ET on CBS pic.twitter.com/7PTnWlgs3y

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) October 25, 2023

Herbig blew past Los Angeles left tackle Alaric Jackson on a first down play. It was Herbig’s first official sack as a professional, though he had 3 ½ sacks during three preseason games and was a training-camp star after having 11 sacks last season at Wisconsin.

Playing behind All Pro T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith and sharing a reserve role with veteran Markus Golden, Herbig is content in playing a relative bit part on defense. He’s played 67 defensive snaps through six games.

“I just try to stay ready,” Herbig said. “I am just there for Alex, T.J. and ‘MG.’ Whenever those guys need a break or a breather, I’ve just got to be ready to go in there and give it my best. I really just try to focus on special teams, because that’s my biggest role on my team right now so I am trying to focus in on that and be better every week. Obviously, when those guys need a breather that’s when I have a chance to show what I have been working on.”

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