Category: Nick Herbig

NFL Network analyst breaks down Nick Herbig’s Week 12 performance

Nick Herbig’s play against the Browns earned praise from NFL analyst Brian Baldinger after Pittsburgh’s tough Week 12 loss.

While it may be hard for Steeler fans to see the silver lining after Pittsburgh’s rough Week 12 loss to the Browns, NFL Network analyst Brian Baldinger, known for his breakdowns of great playmaking abilities in the league, highlighted Nick Herbig’s elite performance versus the Browns.

Baldinger first touched on Herbig’s incredible play recognition in stopping Browns RBs Nick Chubb and Jerome Ford dead in their tracks.

Another big-time play for Herbig that Baldinger highlighted was his excellent block-shedding against Browns TE David Njoku, seemingly treating the 6’4″ Cleveland player like a child.

Lastly, Baldinger pointed out Herbig’s biggest play of the game: his strip sack on Browns QB Jameis Winston. This play almost singlehandedly won Pittsburgh the game, and Herbig deserves commendation.

With starting edge rusher Alex Highsmith dealing with an ankle injury, Nick Herbig has stepped up in a major way. The backup edge rusher should get plenty of pass-rushing opportunities when the Pittsburgh Steelers take on the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 13 on December 1, at 1:00 PM EST.

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Injury report: Nick Herbig exits Week 5 game early with injury

During the Steelers’ Week 5 contest against the Dallas Cowboys, EDGE Nick Herbig exited the contest with an injury, shattering fans’ hearts.

Hearts were crushed in Pittsburgh’s Week 5 contest, as yet another injury was added to the Steelers growing list of banged-up players.  The Steelers’ defense had little time to celebrate T.J. Watt’s 100th career sack, as all eyes would soon be on Nick Herbig heading into the dreaded blue medical tent.

During the third quarter, Herbig could be seen hobbling and limping on the sideline while the Steelers’ medical team began to get him checked out.

With baited breath, Steelers fans were hopeful he would exit the tent and sprint back onto the field—they were instead forced to watch the promising second-year edge rusher walk into the locker room, barely putting any weight on his injured leg. Furthermore, it was then reported that Herbig was questionable to return with a hamstring injury.

All eyes will be on the situation, as Pittsburgh fans will hope the injury is short term because Alex Highsmith, the teams starting edge rusher opposite T.J. Watt, is likely out until Week 7 with a groin injury.

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Becoming elite: Nick Herbig’s next big step

Nick Herbig details exactly what he prepared for in training camp to help him take the next step forward in becoming an elite player.

While not necessarily a household name, Nick Herbig has all the tools to become one of the best edge rushers in the league. His teammates weren’t surprised by his elite play last week against the Los Angeles Chargers.  Whether it was against the pass or the run, Herbig made his presence felt.  During Wednesday’s media availability, Herbig was asked how he makes this all possible while being an undersized edge rusher in the league.

“I think if you want to be an elite player, and play on an elite level, you’ve got to play all three downs.” Herbig stated.  That was a big focus for me in camp. Mike T talked about it every day, working on the run game.”

Herbig doesn’t take all of the credit; in fact, he stated that it was his “coaches and teammates” who made it all possible.  If you asked T.J. Watt, he would tell you that it’s Herbig’s elite preparation that is truly responsible for the sudden success.

Has Steelers EDGE Nick Herbig’s emergence made Alex Highsmith expendable?

The Pittsburgh Steelers have an emerging star at outside linebacker in Nick Herbig, making Alex Highsmith potentially expendable.

Since outside linebacker Nick Herbig came to the Pittsburgh Steelers by way of Wisconsin in 2023, he’s been an impactful player and continues to emerge.

With 11 total pressures generated (two sacks, eight hurries and one hit) on 81 pass rush snaps, Herbig has undoubtedly made the most of the limited exposure. On 107 run defense snaps, the former fourth-round pick has 12 tackles (nine solo) and forced a fumble.

Herbig earned an elite grade from Pro Football Focus for his 3.5-sack preseason performance.

Just last year, Pittsburgh inked Alex Highsmith to a five-year $68 million contract. According to Spotrac, the Steelers have a potential out next season, putting $16.6 million in dead cap on the books.

Trading Highsmith and inserting a more affordable Herbig makes financial sense for a Steelers team that’s historically frugal with salary cap dollars.

No matter what happens there, Herbig’s role could increase in 2024.

“We’re going to find a role for a guy like that, whether he’s a starter or not,” Mike Tomlin said of Herbig after the Steelers August 24 preseason finale. “He’s got an opportunity to be significant.”

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Steelers EDGE Nick Herbig leaves elite mark on 2024 preseason

Pittsburgh Steelers pass-rusher Nick Herbig earned an elite grade from PFF for his preseason performance.

Preseason stats don’t count in the scheme of things, but learning from the best (ahem, T.J. Watt) has started to pay dividends for second-year pass-rusher Nick Herbig.

With Watt and Alex Highsmith sidelined for the preseason, Herbig took his opportunity to shine by the horns. Logging 3.5 sacks and six quarterback pressures, Herbig finished the preseason as the league’s highest-graded EDGE with an elite overall grade of 93.1 (92.6 pass-rush, 68.7 run-defense) from Pro Football Focus.

According to PFF’s advanced stats (paywall), Herbig also earned an elite grade (92.5) in the preseason of his rookie year, ranking third behind only Titans’ Denico Autry and Bears’ Trevis Gipson.

“We’re going to find a role for a guy like that, whether he’s a starter or not,” Mike Tomlin said of Herbig after the Steelers August 24 preseason finale. “He’s got an opportunity to be significant.”

The second-year defender out of Wisconsin is already playing like a seasoned pro and making a significant impression on Tomlin.

“He’s behaving like a guy that’s been a lap around the track,” Tomlin said. “He’s finding his footing, man. He wants to be impactful.”

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Mike Tomlin gives Steelers rookie EDGE Nick Herbig ultimate compliment

Without question, Nick Herbig has been the most integral player of the Steelers 2023 rookie class.

Without question, Nick Herbig has been the most integral player of the Pittsburgh Steelers 2023 rookie class. His role has been a critical one: Rotate in for both T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith, keeping them fresh to wreak havoc. In the process, he’d learned a great deal picking their brains when they come to the sideline.

Herbig has displayed what he’s learned from his fellow outside linebackers, including a phenomenal play in what NFL films deemed the “turning point” in Pittsburgh’s critical Week 17 win over the Seattle Seahawks.

On Seattle’s second drive midway through the fourth quarter, Geno Smith dropped back and was greeted by a strip-sacking Herbig.

Sack. Fumble. Recovery.

The Steelers sideline erupted, including a proud head coach Mike Tomlin, who bestowed upon him the highest compliment.

“That’s young Herbig. I’m gonna hafta start calling him Mr. Herbig. Way to go, Mr. Herbig,” said Tomlin.

You’ll often hear Tomlin refer to special players as Mister So-and-so in his press conferences. This time, he was giving it to one of his own.

“Lil’ Herbig, lil’ Herbig. He’s growing up,” he told Nick’s older brother Nate, a reserve offensive lineman, during a sideline embrace.

It’s rare for a rookie, especially in the Steelers system, to see the field as much as he has. But you have to preserve players like Watt and Highsmith the best you can, and Herbig’s speedy adjustment from college to the pros allowed them to do just that.

He’s played in all 17 games, recording three sacks, two forced fumbles, 27 tackles (five for loss) and three quarterback hits.

Herbig is now presented with the most important test of his first year: Help fill the void of Watt, the NFL’s sack leader and Defensive Player of the Year candidate.

It’ll take an Army, but Herbig was born for the task.

Ben Roethlisberger praises Steelers rookie Nick Herbig

There are a couple young players who haven’t quit on the Steelers — and Nick Herbig is one of them.

When the going gets tough, the tough get going. That is, unless you’re young and immature, as many are on the 2023 Pittsburgh Steelers roster — then you fold and stop fighting. Diontae Johnson, George Pickens, Najee Harris. They’re all lost and lack direction.

But if you look closely, there’s one guy younger than all of them and hasn’t quit.

Linebacker Nick Herbig, Pittsburgh’s fourth-round selection of the 2023 NFL draft, has shown some gusto in his first season. If he continues to play his cards right, he could very well be the Steelers’ future on the outside. In the meantime, he’s paying his dues as a reserve and a stellar special teamer.

Herbig combined with Connor Heyward — another youngster whose heart is still in it — to set the Steelers up for their first of two Week 15 touchdowns. Heyward blocked a punt, and Herbig instinctually recovered it.

“He does have Steeler heart,” Ben Roethlisberger said on Saturday’s “Footbahlin” podcast after the recovery. “He came to play football.”

And the Steelers are better because of it.

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