Steelers A to Z: Nick Herbig looks to take on bigger role at outside linebacker in 3rd season

Editor’s note: From now until reporting day to training camp at Saint Vincent College, TribLive is running through the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 90-man roster, looking at each player and assessing his outlook for the 2025 season. The breakdown will run in alphabetical order with at least two players each day between June 12 and July 23. Contract data courtesy spotrac.com.

OLB NICK HERBIG

Experience/age: Third season, 23 years old

Contract status: $1,198,230 cap hit, signed through 2026

The past: A fourth-round draft pick in 2023, Herbig has emerged as a capable backup with the Steelers, and he may be given a chance to take on a bigger role this season. As a rookie, Herbig played just 17% of the defensive snaps as the fourth outside linebacker option behind starters T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith and top backup Markus Golden. He contributed three sacks and two forced fumbles that season.

When Golden abruptly retired in training camp last year, Herbig became the top backup and ended up playing 50% of the defensive snaps, making five starts because of an injury to Highsmith. His numbers increased to 5.5 sacks and four forced fumbles despite the fact Herbig also missed four games due to injury.

One of Herbig’s biggest plays came in an 18-16 win against Baltimore when he stripped the ball from running back Derrick Henry’s grasp. The Steelers recovered. Later, Herbig had a hand in stopping a 2-point conversion attempt.

Hope Nick Herbig got a game ball for what he did on Sunday. Forced an early fumble and then blew up the two-pointer to win the Steelers the game.

The Ravens two-point attempt looked pretty good on paper and mostly got what they wanted. Baltimore wanted to use the jet motion to… pic.twitter.com/c0GtFh94FZ

— Bill Barnwell (@billbarnwell) November 18, 2024

2025 outlook: Herbig took first-team reps during offseason workouts in Watt’s absence. Watt skipped the voluntary sessions and then held out during mandatory minicamp because of a contract dispute. Herbig can expect to fill a starting role if Watt extends his holdout into training camp.

Herbig has proven to be a capable backup at his position. Whether he can ascend into a starting role in his third NFL season depends on the health of others and Watt’s future with the team.