The Pittsburgh Steelers have agreed to terms on an extension with OLB Nick Herbig, per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. According to the report, Herbig will sign a four-year extension worth $100 million, with $42 million guaranteed.
Earlier Tuesday, Herbig told reporters he wants to be a “Steeler for life.” Hours later, he agreed to a deal to keep him in Pittsburgh for the long haul.
Factor in money received as part of his Proven Performance Escalator and Herbig’s deal totals out to over $103 million.
Nick Herbig orginally had $3.674M due in 2026 as part of the PPE offseason raise he earned so the new $100M for the new 4 years brings the total of old and new money to $103.674 M. #Steelers #NFL
— Steelers Depot 7⃣ (@Steelersdepot) June 2, 2026
Picked at No. 132 overall in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, Herbig has sat behind T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith on the depth chart for his whole career. That makes his 16 sacks, nine forced fumbles, 32 QB Hits, 23 TFL, and an INT all the more impressive.
On a per-snap basis, you can make the argument that Nick Herbig has been the Steelers’ most efficient pass rusher on a team that already has almost $200 million in contracts signed with the starters ahead of him. He was second on the team last season with 7.5 sacks, even leading Watt during a down year for the former Defensive Player of the Year.
In a full season, a healthy T.J. Watt typically gets about 930 defensive snaps. Herbig just crossed that number for his career total last season. In other words, he has been roughly on pace for an All-Pro season if his numbers were extrapolated out to a full season of starting snaps.
With Watt signed through 2028 and Highsmith through 2027, Herbig has no immediately obvious path to becoming a full-time starter in the near future. This contract clearly signifies a commitment to the future of the position, even if it’s a high price to pay for a rotational backup in the present. Still, DC Patrick Graham and his new coaching staff have vowed to creatively use Herbig and maximize his ability and value to the defense.
Pittsburgh now has plenty of money tied up in contracts for its top three pass rushers. In average yearly value, Herbig now ranks 16th league-wide among EDGE rushers.
In average yearly value, the #Steelers top 3 EDGE rushers:
T.J. Watt: $41 million (4th)
Nick Herbig: $25 million (16th)
Alex Highsmith: $17 million (tied-26th) https://t.co/SUcHcKtNmX
— Alex Kozora (@Alex_Kozora) June 2, 2026
This is the most money Pittsburgh has given to a Day 3 homegrown draftee in franchise history, surpassing the $17 million APY given to Antonio Brown years ago.
He could have bet on himself to enter unrestricted free agency next offseason, but instead chose to remain with the Steelers for the long run.
Cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. shared a snippet of Herbig and his teammates reacting to his new deal.
At just 24 years old, Herbig is a foundational piece of the Steelers’ future at the most important position on defense. Next up for Pittsburgh could be CB Joey Porter Jr., who may receive a similar payday.