Steelers Now
In a recent interview on NFL Network, Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Nick Herbig opened up on his goals for the 2026 season.
“Just working on expanding my role as more than just coming off the bench all the time and being more of a leader. Being vocal,” Herbig said. “Trying to help the team anyway I can to win because obviously we’ve been in a drought in Pittsburgh if we’re being completely honest. We need to get back to that Lombardi Trophy, back to those rings that Pittsburgh is known for. So just trying to help the team any way I can, and whatever Coach McCarthy asks of me, I’m willing to do.”
Herbig was rewarded a four-year, $100 million contract extension earlier this month. He also expressed in an interview on Cam Heyward’s Not Just Football podcast that he wants to take on more of a leadership role.
“Now it’s like, this organization is entrusting you with basically the key’s to the future and how am I gonna help propel that. Like how am I gonna be an asset to this organization and help us get that Super Bowl? Herbig told Heyward. “Now it’s like I am one of the older guys. I am one of the guys at practice that I have to speak up. I have to be more vocal and I have to lead by example more.”
Herbig, 24, has displayed exactly why he demanded such a payday over the past three years, racking up 79 tackles, 16 sacks, nine forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, three passes defended and one interception all while working in a rotation with fellow outside linebackers T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith.
His production has also climbed each year. After recording three sacks as a rookie, Herbig posted 5.5 sacks in 2024 before setting a new career high with 7.5 sacks in 2025. He has not only become an important rotational contributor but has also positioned himself as a cornerstone of the franchise’s future at outside linebacker.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Nick Herbig Reveals His Goals for 2026 Season
