Nick Herbig recently signed a four-year, $100 million contract extension with the Pittsburgh Steelers, expressing his desire to “be a Steeler for life.” This contract marks the first time a backup has received a $100 million deal, with $42 million guaranteed.
Herbig served as a backup edge rusher last season, playing fewer snaps than starters T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith, although he was close behind Highsmith. The average annual value (AAV) of Herbig’s contract is $25 million, in contrast to Highsmith’s AAV of $17 million.
The Steelers are now spending an AAV of $83 million on three edge rushers. Despite finishing last season with the sixth-most sacks in the NFL, they struggled defensively, ranking seventh from the bottom in yards allowed and 17th in points allowed.
While Herbig’s extension has been scrutinized, the focus has also shifted to Watt’s contract, which is valued at $123 million over three years and carries an AAV of $41 million. Watt recorded seven sacks last season but faced a decline in performance, especially in late games. His rival, Myles Garrett, recently earned the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award for the second time and set a single-season sack record with 23.
Speculation suggests that Herbig’s deal may lead to potential trades involving Highsmith or Watt, though a $41 million AAV for an aging player may deter teams from acquiring Watt. Discussions hint that the Steelers could have opted to let Herbig complete his existing contract, as he remains a backup and unlikely to attract significant offers from other teams.
Concerns about organizational priorities have been raised, particularly regarding cornerback Joey Porter Jr., who is also seeking an extension. Porter is expected to command a sizable AAV similar to or exceeding Herbig’s contract.
The Steelers face criticism for prioritizing loyalty in their contracts rather than leveraging their assets effectively. Comparatively, the recent trade of Garrett from the Browns to the Los Angeles Rams has been viewed as a strategic decision by both teams, reinforcing the notion that the Steelers remain in a challenging position.
For now, the Steelers maintain a strong backup edge rusher in Herbig as part of their defensive lineup.
Source: triblive.com via Google News.
