In the of the Pittsburgh Steelers, the organization has a reputation of being an aggressive team. Whether it was the offensive line serving up pancake blocks or hard hitting linebackers on defense, the Steelers have thrived on the physicality that football is known for. Pittsburgh’s newest free agent acquisition, Nate Herbig is hoping to bring some of that attitude to the team in the 2023 season.
Credit: Kyle Terada/USA TODAY Sports
Steelers Excited By 'Nasty Nate’s' Playstyle
Nate Herbig has had a few nicknames over his playing career, but most refer to him as “Nasty Nate” given the way he plays. Herbig is listed at 6'4" and 334 pounds. He highly enjoys playing with a mean streak.
“I love to play the game of football,” Herbig said Thursday afternoon after he signed with the Steelers as a free agent. “I feel like football is played a certain way, and I’m going to play it that way — old school, smash-mouth. I like that stuff. As you can see, I’m built for it.”
While many Steelers fans will probably love Herbig’s combative nature on the offensive line, it might be interesting to learn a little bit about why Herbig plays the way he does. Sadly, many teams didn’t believe Herbig was a worthwhile prospect and he went undrafted in the 2019 NFL Draft. Having gone through that ordeal is a major reason why Herbig works so hard.
“I’ve definitely got a chip on my shoulder,” he said. “I feel like people label me or say my limitations and stuff, so every year I’m just trying to work, improve and just be a player. A real player.”
Herbig’s Ties To The Steelers
Before signing with the Steelers, Herbig already had a connection to the organization. Herbig is from Hawaii, where he attended Saint Louis High School in Honolulu. This school is well known for producing a large quantity of NFL talent, including current Pittsburgh's recent defensive lineman, Tyson Alualu and former Steelers running back Chris Fuamatu-Ma’afala.
While having ties to Pittsburgh in terms of player personnel is good, it is most likely not the primary reason for Herbig signing with the Steelers.
Before becoming the Assistant General Manager in Pittsburgh, Andy Weidl was with the Philadelphia Eagles as their Vice President of Player Personnel. Weidl was the one who took a chance on Herbig to give him his big break in the NFL. Building that rapport with Weidl during their shared time together with the Eagles played a large factor in Herbig’s free agency decision.
“Andy Weidl is the GOAT,” Herbig said. “He’s the man. He was in Philly when I was in Philly, and we have that connection coming in a little bit.”
Herbig’s Positive Track Record
Herbig not only managed to impress Weidl in Philadelphia, but his coaches and teammates as well. Herbig started a total of 17 games during his time there as the Eagles were plagued by injuries along the offensive line in both 2020 and 2021. After drafting offensive guard Landon Dickerson (2021) and center Cam Jurgens (2022), Herbig was released by Philly, but he managed to leave a lasting impression on the franchise’s starting center Jason Kelce.
“Herbie is a great teammate, a great player,” Kelce said. “He’s always been able to go out there and get the job done regardless of who we’re playing or what we need him to do. These are hard ones. When you find guys like that, they have real value.”
Someone else who knew of Herbig’s value was New York Jets general manager Joe Douglas. Douglas, who was with the Eagles at the same time as Weidl, made sure to scoop up Herbig during the free agency in 2022. It was a similar situation for Herbig in New York as his playing time came as a result of Alijah Vera-Tucker tearing his bicep. Herbig was solid in the 11 games he started for the Jets, enough to earn some praise from the team’s head coach, Robert Saleh.
“I love his mentality and how he approaches the game,” Saleh said last fall. “He’s nasty. He’s everything you want in an offensive lineman.”
Hearing all of these positive reviews regarding Herbig from members of his former teams should make Steelers fans happy and excited to have him as a member of the black and gold.
What are your thoughts on Herbig? Let us know in the comment section or on social media.
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