Matt Williamson on Nick Herbig: Steelers 'have to figure out a way to turn 8 snaps into 20'

Mark Madden is on his way back from England. So, my Steelers Audio Network pregame show partner, Matt Williamson, is filling in for the “Madden Monday” podcast this week.

A former NFL and college scout, Williamson hosts “The Drive” with Dale Lolley on Steelers Nation Radio. You’ve also heard him on the “Peacock and Williamson” podcast, as well as on our annual NFL pre-draft podcasts here at “Breakfast With Benz.”

With the Steelers’ preseason ending Saturday, and the regular season opener against the Atlanta Falcons looming, I thought it’d be good to have Matt pinch-hit for Mark. One topic he is particularly enthusiastic about is the play of second-year outside linebacker Nick Herbig.

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The second year #Steelers LB had TWO sacks today, including a strip sack. #Badgers

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— Andrew Bandstra (@andrewbandstra) August 24, 2024

The Wisconsin Badger alum totaled 3½ sacks during the preseason, and Williamson says it’s time for Herbig to have more of a role than just backup duty to T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith.

“He just passes every test,” Williamson said. “He can play five snaps, he can play 20 snaps, and even the most casual fan knows he’s out there — especially against the pass.”

At just 6-foot-2, 240 pounds, Herbig isn’t as big as most Steelers 3-4 outside linebackers. But Williamson thinks it’s worth the gamble to get Herbig more snaps.

“He would worry me if he’s playing 50 snaps and has to hold up against tackles in the run game and double teams from tight ends and things like that. He hasn’t shown he could do that,” Williamson continued. “He is a smaller guy, but there’s probably half a dozen to 16 teams out there that would certainly give him a try doing that for 50-60 snaps per game. And he is better than what most teams are playing with.”

It was Williamson’s suggestion that the Steelers dust off some of the concepts they worked with for a short time when Watt, Melvin Ingram and Highsmith were all healthy together for a short time in 2021.

Over the last two preseason games, Herbig has shown an ability to get to the quarterback by stunting from his OLB spot and rushing up the middle.

“I would consider that,” Williamson said. “Even if he’s coming from off-the-ball, I think they’ve got to figure out some way to turn eight snaps into 20.”

As Williamson reminded us, Herbig was considered by some to be a potential off-the-ball, inside linebacker more so than an edge-pass-rush type of guy when he came out of Wisconsin in the first place.

In his rookie season of 2023, Herbig had three sacks. He was allowed to play more than 20 defensive snaps only one time.

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“I just think it’s one more wrinkle to add. It’s something that this staff has done before,” Williamson continued. “Maybe move him around, or even have Watt come off the ball from the second level once in a while. … One of the reasons Herbig fell (to the fourth round) was people thought he wasn’t big and physical enough, and some of them projected him as a true inside linebacker — an off-the-ball guy. So it’s not crazy talk. Just get him out there more.”

Also, in the podcast, we discuss the quarterback play Saturday against the Detroit Lions in the preseason finale, some up-and-down offensive line performances, and a confidence-inspiring outing from the front seven.