SB Nation • 4 min read

Nick Herbig has become invaluable to the Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense has been memorable for all the wrong reasons through three weeks. They currently rank 21st in EPA per play and are allowing the seventh-most rushing yards per game.

They

seemed to be getting things on the right track against the New England Patriots, forcing five turnovers in a 21-14 win. One of their top performers in the Week 3 tilt was edge rusher Nick Herbig, who is making it crystal clear that he is the future of the Steelers’ defense.

In Week 3, Herbig had eight pressures, which ranked third in the NFL. On top of that, his four quick pressures led the NFL, tying with Micah Parsons and Yaya Diaby, and his get-off (time it takes to cross the line of scrimmage) was the second-fastest, with Watt placing third.

The Wisconsin product has been one of the top pass rushers in the NFL through the first month of the 2025 campaign. He has 12 pressures on 65 pass rushes, per Next Gen Stats. For comparison, T.J. Watt has the same number of pressures on 83 pass rushes. All five of his pressures have been quick pressures, as well, meaning he’s not just getting to the quarterback, but he’s doing so before the play can get developed.

Regardless of when Alex Highsmith returns from his ankle injury, the Steelers can’t but Herbig behind him. He’s clearly the second-best edge rusher they have, and they need to focus on him being the long-term successor to Watt. Keeping him on the field for the majority of snaps is now a must, as he continues to show how invaluable he is to the defense.

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