WATCH: Former Wisconsin linebacker addresses media after big performance vs. Bills

WATCH: Former Wisconsin linebacker addresses media after big performance vs. Bills

Former Wisconsin linebacker Nick Herbig turned heads in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ preseason loss to the Buffalo Bills on Saturday.

Following the four-tackle, 1.5-sack performance as his ensemble’s starting outside linebacker, the three-year Badger fielded several questions from media members.

Herbig opened the contest with a solo tackle against Buffalo quarterback Mitchell Trubisky. The former Big Ten game-wrecker shot out of a cannon down the middle of the offensive line before wrapping up the former Chicago Bears QB, eliciting a booming roar from the crowd and some jubilation from fellow Badger Keanu Benton.

“That was a good call there by [defensive coordinator Teryl Austin],” Herbig said. “That was something we had in the game plan. Especially when I’m out there with Keeanu [Benton], that’s my brother. Being on the same side and having that chemistry, we knew it was going to hit a little quicker. It just opened up, and I was able to make a play.”

Herbig also alluded to another sequence later in the game where he and Benton split a sack to back the Bills up into a deep second down situation. To him, the play embodies what the Steelers defense is attempting to accomplish.

“Larry [Ogunjobi] got there first,” Herbig said. “He was starting to slip out a little, and then Keeanu came over the top and finished him. I think that’s a perfect picture of what we are in Pittsburgh, what we’re striving to be. That’s collective and aiming to do something great here.”

What’s more, Markus Golden, a nine-year NFL veteran, just retired before Pittsburgh’s preseason opener against the Houston Texans. He played 16 games with the Steelers in 2023 and served as a backup to Watt and Highsmith at linebacker.

His absence now elevates Herbig to No. 2 on the crew’s LB depth chart. As someone who once shined against some of college football’s most talented platoons, the former Badger didn’t shy away from the opportunity.

“There’s never going to be a true time when you’re like, ‘okay, I’m ready,'” Herbig said. “When the lights come on, you gotta show up. You gotta stay ready so you don’t have to get ready.”

Here’s the full clip: