June 2 , 2026: Nick Herbig Signs Four‑Year, $100 Million Extension with Steelers

In the final year of the rookie deal that brought him to Pittsburgh, edge rusher Nick Herbig agreed to a four‑year extension worth $100 million, with $42 million guaranteed. The contract, announced on June 2 ,2026, ensures the player will not hit free agency in 2027 and extends his tenure through the 2029 season.

Herbig, a fourth‑round selection in 2023, put up a career‑best 7.5 sacks in the 2025 season, highlighted by 13 tackles for loss and 18 quarterback hits across 15 games. Over his career, he has accumulated 79 tackles, 16 sacks, one interception, nine forced fumbles, and four fumble recoveries.

With both T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith signed to multi‑year deals that keep them on the depth chart through at least 2027, the Steelers’ move signals that they are accepting Herbig as a core part of the pass‑rush corps. It also raises questions about whether the team will eventually trade either Watt or Highsmith to free up cap space, as the contracts carry significant guaranteed money and cap penalties for the upcoming seasons.

The move is notable for being the first time a team has offered a backup a $100 million contract, implying that Herbig could feature more prominently on the initial depth chart. The Steelers could retain all three players for at least a season, or pursue moves depending on offers from other teams interested in the highly valued edge‑rushing talent.

Ultimately the extension illustrates the Steelers’ confidence in Herbig’s development and positions him as a key contributor to Pittsburgh’s defensive future while keeping the organization in a position to evaluate other trade or free‑agency opportunities in the offseason.