Nick Herbig Emerging as One of the NFL’s Top Young Pass Rushers
Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher Nick Herbig is steadily gaining recognition across the league as one of the NFL’s most promising pass rushers. While once underrated, Herbig’s performance is now earning him national attention.
In the 2024 season, Herbig recorded 5.5 sacks over 13 games. Despite missing four games, he significantly increased his playing time—from 17% of defensive snaps in his rookie year to 50% last season. His impact hasn’t gone unnoticed, with Pro Football Focus (PFF) ranking him as the 32nd-best edge rusher in the league.
According to PFF analyst Ryan Smith, Herbig epitomized the role of a pass-rush specialist last season. He earned an outstanding 91.5 pass-rush grade, ranking fourth among 109 qualified edge defenders. However, he struggled against the run, receiving a much lower grade of 48.2 in that area. To climb higher in the rankings, improving his run defense will be key.
Looking ahead, Herbig is expected to continue receiving more opportunities on the field. Many believe the Steelers would benefit from deploying him alongside both T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith, rather than rotating them and reducing one’s snaps.
Herbig is entering his third year in the NFL and is quickly establishing himself as a vital part of Pittsburgh’s defensive future.
