Steelers Now
Future Hall of Famer J.J. Watt gave Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Nick Herbig a ringing endorsement during his most recent appearance on The Pat McAfee Show.
“Herbig is great,” Watt said. “Herbig is very underrated,” Watt said when discussing the Steelers’ outside linebackers room that features his brother T.j. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Herbig and rookie Jack Sawyer.
Pat McAfee mentioned how jacked T.J. Watt looked in a recent photo with fellow Steelers outside linebacker Nick Herbig. Watt and Herbig were training at their alma mater Wisconsin University.
“He is in a great spot,” J.J. Watt said of his brother. “I know he feels extremely good. He has been training his butt off. He’s really excited about camp. He’s looking forward to being back with the boys. It’s going to be great.”
"I couldn't be happier for TJ and he's excited..
He's earned it and he deserves it" ~ @JJWatt #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/nV7rFv1uwv
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) July 21, 2025
In May, Pro Football Focus compiled a list of the most underrated players on all 32 NFL teams. In regard to the Steelers, Herbig was tabbed as the most underrated Steeler.
“Herbig isn’t going to get the same recognition as T.J. Watt or Alex Highsmith along the Steelers’ defensive line, and part of that has to do with his much lower snap share, but it’s worth noting how well he has performed when he is given an opportunity.
“Since 2022, Herbig owns a 91.4 PFF pass-rush grade, which ranks seventh among all edge defenders with at least 250 pass-rush snaps. With Watt and Highsmith occasionally missing time due to injury, having a high-end pass rusher like Herbig waiting in the wings is a very underrated and valuable option that not many teams have the luxury of.”
In his first two years in the NFL, Herbig has recorded 49 tackles (32 solos), 8.5 sacks, 10 tackles for loss, 11 quarterback hits, six forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. Despite receiving limited snaps as a third outside linebacker, Herbig has been a key cog in the Steelers’ defense.
According to Next Gen Stats, Herbig’s 21.1% pressure rate led the team through 13 weeks in 2024. Over half of his 31 total pressures on the season came in the form of quick pressures, those that occur in less than 2.5 seconds.
Herbig’s game-changing strip sack on Joe Burrow in the Steelers’ Week 13 win over the Cincinnati Bengals last year took 2:31 seconds from sack to fumble, per Next Gen Stats. At the time, it was the third-fastest sack in the league in 2024. It was also Herbig’s third straight game with a forced fumble.
Herbig’s four forced fumbles were tied for fourth-most in the NFL last season. T.J. Watt’s led the league with six.
Herbig credits Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin for building a defensive culture in Pittsburgh, which has laid the foundation for his success.
“(T.J. Watt) leads the league in forced fumbles since he’s been in the...
