The Steelers and outside linebacker Nick Herbig have agreed to a four-year, $100 million contract extension, sources confirm with DK Pittsburgh Sports. The deal comes with $42 million in guaranteed money.
This extension comes on the first day of mandatory minicamp, and is the result Herbig wanted, even after spending time sitting out drills during practice.
"It's my desire to be a Steeler for life," Herbig said.
While "for life" is still to be determined, Herbig is at least now under contract through the 2030 season, in which he'll turn 29.
Herbig, 24, has gone from a fourth-round pick in 2023 to a player that bested Watt in pressure rate and matched Highsmith with a team-high 45 pressures in 2025. He's coming off a career-high 7.5 sacks despite playing 49 less snaps than Highsmith and 227 snaps less than Watt.
The Steelers are also now committing a ton of money to the edge rusher position. Herbig's $25 million average annual value (AAV) goes along with Highsmith's $17 million AAV and Watt's $41 million AAV. Getting Herbig locked up now helps secure the depth of the position now, but could also help secure it for the long term, as well.
In the meantime, Herbig doesn't appear to be worried if he's going to be a starter or not, especially now that he's at least $42 million richer.
"I wouldn't call myself not a starter. I would just say I'm a team guy," Herbig said. "If you need me to play off the ball, on the ball, to run down on punt ... I'm a Steeler. There's no starters and backups, I'm a Steeler."
THE ASYLUM
Sources: Herbig agrees to $100 million extension
The Steelers and outside linebacker Nick Herbig have agreed to a four-year, $100 million contract extension, sources confirm with DK Pittsburgh Sports. The deal comes with $42 million in guaranteed money.
This extension comes on the first day of mandatory minicamp, and is the result Herbig wanted, even after spending time sitting out drills during practice.
"It's my desire to be a Steeler for life," Herbig said.
While "for life" is still to be determined, Herbig is at least now under contract through the 2030 season, in which he'll turn 29.
Herbig, 24, has gone from a fourth-round pick in 2023 to a player that bested Watt in pressure rate and matched Highsmith with a team-high 45 pressures in 2025. He's coming off a career-high 7.5 sacks despite playing 49 less snaps than Highsmith and 227 snaps less than Watt.
The Steelers are also now committing a ton of money to the edge rusher position. Herbig's $25 million average annual value (AAV) goes along with Highsmith's $17 million AAV and Watt's $41 million AAV. Getting Herbig locked up now helps secure the depth of the position now, but could also help secure it for the long term, as well.
In the meantime, Herbig doesn't appear to be worried if he's going to be a starter or not, especially now that he's at least $42 million richer.
"I wouldn't call myself not a starter. I would just say I'm a team guy," Herbig said. "If you need me to play off the ball, on the ball, to run down on punt ... I'm a Steeler. There's no starters and backups, I'm a Steeler."
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