At his introductory news conference Thursday, new Pittsburgh Steelers guard Nate Herbig proved to be masterful at dishing out compliments.

Over the span of an eight-minute interview, Herbig used the words “stud,” “G.O.A.T.” or “legend” to describe a half-dozen people or players.

It included Steelers free agent nose tackle Tyson Alualu, who preceded Herbig by a decade at Saint Louis School in Hawaii: “Stud. Legend.”

He also name-dropped David DeCastro, the former Steelers All-Pro guard who, like Herbig, attended Stanford: “Great, a legend.”

He didn’t forget Steelers assistant general manager Andy Weidl, who was part of Philadelphia’s player personnel department during Herbig’s first three NFL seasons: “The G.O.A.T. He’s the man.”

Don’t forget younger brother, Nick, a Wisconsin edge rusher prospect in this year’s NFL Draft class: “Stud, absolute stud. I should be his agent.”

And then there are his new Steelers teammates: “Studs everywhere.”

Herbig can only hope those accolades get volleyed in his direction considering the Steelers gave him a two-year, $8 million contract that includes $4 million guaranteed to help improve the offensive line.

Given the investment made in Herbig, the Steelers are expecting him to compete for a starting job, most likely at left guard, a position manned by Kevin Dotson last season. At minimum, Herbig was acquired to bolster depth at both guard spots. Former third-round pick Kendrick Green was Dotson’s backup last year but was inactive for all 17 games.

Herbig said he has been given no assurances of playing time at any position, and he’s fine with that.

“I’ll play punter if they want me to,” Herbig said. “I’ll play whatever. Whatever coach tells me, I’ll play.”

Herbig is as good-natured as he is large. At a listed 334 pounds, he is bigger than any player on the Steelers’ active roster last season.

That demeanor, of course, changes when Herbig steps on the field, which is why he has earned nicknames such as “Nasty Nate.”

“I love the game of football,” Herbig said. “I feel like football is played a certain way, and I’m going to play it that way. I’m happy to be here. Old school, smashmouth, I like that stuff. As you can see, I’m built for it.”

Herbig’s addition represents the third multi-year contract given to an interior offensive lineman over the past two offseasons. It’s part of a makeover of an offensive line that paved the way for the fewest rushing yards in the NFL in 2020 and improved from No. 29 to No. 16 last season.

Not surprisingly, Herbig enjoys using his size in run blocking because “the quarterback can’t get hit when you’re run blocking.”

Herbig left Stanford after his junior season, declaring for the draft despite having a year of eligibility remaining. It backfired when, after running the slowest 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, he was bypassed in the draft and signed a free-agent deal with Philadelphia.

After appearing in two games as a rookie, Herbig started a combined 17 games at right guard over the next two years. The Eagles, though, released Herbig last spring, and he hooked on with the New York Jets.

He didn’t crack the lineup until the fourth game of the year, then started 11 games before missing the final two with ankle and calf injuries.

“I’ve definitely got a chip on my shoulder,” Herbig said. “I feel like people label me or say my limitations and stuff, so every year I’m just trying to work, improve and just be a player, a real player.”

He will get that chance with his new employer, a team he is excited about joining.

“It’s the Steelers,” Herbig said. “Like, come on, what isn’t there to like about it? I don’t have enough good things to say.”

Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)