Early in T.J. Watt’s career, the Pittsburgh Steelers often didn’t have enough edge rushing depth. But with Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig and other edge defenders on the roster, the Steelers now have a different problem — paying them all.
Watt and Highsmith are signed to long-term deals. Both contracts, though, are expensive. That could prevent the team from inking another edge rusher to a notable contract.
That’s where Herbig enters the conversation. Herbig is entering a contract year in 2026. Pundits have already speculated that he is a trade candidate for the Steelers this offseason.
Pittsburgh general manager Omar Khan, though, went in a different direction when addressing the team’s “No. 3 edge rusher” at the NFL Scouting Combine. Khan told reporters the Steelers intend to have Herbig continue to play in Pittsburgh.
“He’s obviously someone that we’d like to have around for a long time,” Khan said Tuesday, via Steelers Now’s Alan Saunders. “You know, this defense has been based on those outside pass rushers for a long time, so you can’t ever have enough of them.”
Herbig has 16 sacks, 23 tackles for loss and 32 quarterback hits in 45 career NFL games. He’s also improved over his three-year tenure with the Steelers.
In 2025, Herbig posted career-highs of 7.5 sacks, 13 tackles for loss, 18 quarterback hits and three pass defenses. He also had three forced fumbles and his first career interception.
Will Steelers Be Able to Re-Sign Nick Herbig?
NFL teams that pay a lot of money to the same position group can oftentimes run into cap issues. That’s key to the start of any Herbig negotiation in Pittsburgh.
The Steelers signed Watt to a record-setting contract extension last offseason. In 2026, Watt will have a $42 million cap hit, and it will only go up until the deal expires in 2029.
At $20.1 million, Highsmith is set to hold the third-highest cap hit for the Steelers in 2026. His deal expires after two more seasons.
If the Steelers offer Herbig a contract extension, and it kicks in during 2026, then the team will likely have three edge rushers making starter money for two years. One of those edge rushers, Watt, will be one of the most expensive players in the league.
Edge rushing depth is important. The question is whether the Steelers will prioritize it over other young players who also need extensions soon like Herbig does.
Cornerback Joey Porter Jr. and defensive lineman Keeanu Benton each are entering contract seasons in 2026 too. Left tackle Broderick Jones will as well unless the Steelers exercise his fifth-year option.
Will Herbig Want to Stay With Steelers?
Even if the Steelers are willing to offer market value to Herbig, there’s no guarantees the young edge rusher will want to stay in Pittsburgh.
By all accounts, Herbig enjoys the Steelers edge rushing room. He also has strong personal relationships with teammates such as Benton, who he spent his college career with at Wisconsin.
But if Herbig wants more playing time and an opportunity to start, he will have to go elsewhere.
“Yeah, he wants to play more,” Khan added on Herbig. “And I think we all like to have Nick on the field more.”
Herbig has seen his playing time increase each of the past two years. In 2025, he lined up for 610 defensive snaps, including 60% of the team’s snaps on defense in his 15 games.
Having Herbig as a No. 3 edge rusher is a great luxury for the Steelers, especially given Watt and Highsmith’s injury past. But when all three are healthy, it’s a challenge for the team to find Herbig snaps.
It could be challenging to find cap space for Herbig as well.
Steelers GM Gets Candid on Edge Rusher Nick Herbig’s Future