Batch: Steelers Would Upset Nick Herbig But Have 1 Way To Keep Him in 2027

The Pittsburgh Steelers are in the thick of the 2026 offseason, with the NFL Draft being just a short time away. The front office has many big choices to make when it comes to drafting players to help the team's future. Besides the draft, there are some other pressing needs for the Steelers brass to address, including some crucial contract extensions that are coming up. The 2023 draft class will become free agents after this season, and negotiations are more than likely already underway. This includes extending the budding star edge rusher, Nick Herbig. 

Herbig is part of the "three-headed monster" that is the Steelers' edge rusher room. In 2025, Herbig proved that he can be a force in the NFL. With limited snaps, he showed that he had the capabilities of being a starting edge rusher. He was considered undersized coming out of the draft; however, he has more than made up for it. Herbig combines his quickness with a variety of speed rush moves that keep opposing tackles on their toes. 

Herbig played only 60% of the Steelers' defensive snaps, according to Pro-Football-Reference. He tallied seven and a half sacks with 610 snaps on defense. He actually eclipsed the sack numbers of TJ Watt (7.0), with Watt playing 812 snaps. This metric proves that Herbig was extremely valuable, even with his snap count. An increased role could be a big deal for him if he wants to go elsewhere. However, it seems like Pittsburgh likes what they have with their pass rush utilizing Herbig, Watt, and Alex Highsmith. 

On a recent episode of The Snap Count podcast, former Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch discussed a way for Pittsburgh to retain Herbig that not too many may have considered. 

"Right now, as we stand, if they do not get a deal with Nick Herbig, that means next year that decision to allow him to walk out could potentially put a transition tag on him," Batch said. 

A transition tag is not something that is used very often in the NFL. The most recent case is Daniel Jones with the Indianapolis Colts. According to the NFL, the transition tag allows for a player to either take the average of the top 10 highest-paid players from the previous year's salary or 120% of his previous year's salary. If the player signs an offer sheet from another team, the player's former team has five days to match. If the former team doesn't match, there is no draft compensation. If no other team gives an offer sheet by July 21, the player can only negotiate and sign with his former team. 

This seems like an interesting idea for the Steelers. Obviously, Herbig will have some suitors, but the transition tag may price other teams out of the market. Edge rusher is a highly-paid position, and teams might not want to pay that high a price for Herbig. Since he's coming off a rookie deal, 120% of his salary is a low price for his production. This could create an issue in his negotiation process. This could give the Steelers leverage in being able to sign him back. 

Herbig was rumored to be traded based on his expiring contract and his desire for more playing time. He is such a young, talented player, and if he were to leave, it would be a big loss for Pittsburgh. 

How Should The Steelers Attack Their Edge Rusher Dilemma?

The Steelers' defense is clearly loaded with talent and wouldn't be completely lost without Herbig, but if the Steelers have a desire to get younger, it would make sense to keep him. Herbig was a fourth-round pick in 2023 out of Wisconsin and has completely shattered what the front office spent to get him. 

The Steelers being deep at their edge rusher spot is nice, but the loss of Herbig's speed and his tenacity would be a tough day for fans. The transition tag could offer a new solution to the looming Herbig contract situation. 

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