Though a decision on Nick Herbig’s future won’t be required for another two seasons, Herbig isn’t hiding his future plans. In his perfect world, he not only remains with the Pittsburgh Steelers for the rest of his career, he helps bring home another Lombardi. Speaking to KDKA’s Rich Walsh on Friday in an interview that aired on the channel’s pre-game show Sunday, Herbig doesn’t want to go anywhere.
“I just wanna win,” Herbig told Walsh. “I’d love to bring a Super Bowl to Pittsburgh. I’d love to win games here. I’d love to be a Steeler my whole life. I love it here. I love the fans. Love the coaches, love the atmosphere, the city. It is everything you dream about when you’re a kid.”
Pittsburgh selected Herbig in the fourth round of the 2024 draft and made the arguably bold decision to keep him as an outside linebacker instead of moving Herbig, an undersized rusher, to an off-ball position like many analysts predicted. A choice that even surprised Herbig, who expected to make an NFL position change and had the Steelers’ inside linebackers coach attend his Wisconsin Pro Day.
Since, he’s become a highly-effective EDGE rusher in a rotational role. Despite just four starts in 2025, Herbig has a career-high 6.5 sacks with six games to go. Those sacks rank second on the team, narrowly behind T.J. Watt’s seven. While Herbig’s pass rushing chops shine most, his run defense is underrated and isn’t a liability. A relentless motor and top-notch work ethic have allowed Herbig to grow into the best “sixth man” pass rusher in the NFL.
The only obstacle has been regular playing time when the group is healthy. Alex Highsmith will return and start today after missing two games with a pectoral injury. Herbig will be reduced to rotational snaps and unless the Steelers have a commanding lead, Pittsburgh hasn’t always found the right balance to get him on the field.
There’s every reason to believe Herbig’s comments are earnest. Still, business is business and Pittsburgh will have a decision to make either this offseason or next. Retaining Herbig won’t be cheap and if he ever hits the open market, he’ll be in high-demand. Pittsburgh paying Watt, Highsmith, and Herbig all big-money contracts isn’t tenable.
Watt is staying so at some point, the team will decide between Highsmith and Herbig. That could come as early as the 2026 offseason but with Herbig cheaply under contract through 2026, the Steelers aren’t in a rush. Of course, Herbig and his agent will be looking for an extension and hefty raise this summer, he’s earned it, but the Steelers could let next year play out and pay Herbig ahead of the 2027 season. That would keep the core-three together for as long as possible.
His situation figures to be a notable topic moving forward. Good pass rushers have left Pittsburgh before. Joey Porter Sr. to Miami, Bud Dupree to Tennessee. But Herbig is on-record wanting to remain in Pittsburgh. Time will tell if he gets his wish.