Herbig gets expanded role and $100M extension despite just 11 career starts
New defensive coordinator Patrick Graham plans to expand Herbig's role significantly in 2026. The Steelers will deploy a package featuring all three outside linebackers on the field simultaneously, especially in passing situations, and Herbig could receive a larger snap share in traditional personnel packages as well. This expansion comes after Herbig logged just 11 career starts through his first three seasons despite producing 16 sacks, 79 tackles (13 for loss), and 14 turnovers. Herbig signed a four-year, $100 million extension with $42 million guaranteed through 2030, making him one of the Steelers' highest-paid edge rushers. When the deal kicks in, he'll earn approximately $8 million more per season than teammate Alex Highsmith, despite having just 11 career starts. This contract reflects the Steelers' confidence in his scheme fit and production trajectory; he produced 7.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and one interception in his most productive season (2025).
View Nick Herbig 2026 fantasy football value pagePlayer profile with fantasy value, ADP, projections, news, and source-backed STACKED insightsnew defensive coordinator Patrick Graham plans to expand Herbig's role. The Steelers tinkered with a package in seasons past that featured all three outside linebackers on the field at the same time, especially in one-dimensional passing situations. In a Graham defense that wants versatile, hybrid players to help disguise coverage, the Steelers are planning to deploy this package even more this season. Herbig could also get a larger share of the snaps than in the past in other, more traditional personnel packages. The Steelers and outside linebacker Nick Herbig have reached an agreement on a four-year, $100 million contract extension, a league source told The Athletic. The deal includes $42 million guaranteed and ties Herbig to Pittsburgh through the 2030 season. Herbig hasn't yet cracked the starting tandem, but the Steelers have now paid him like a starter. When his deal kicks in, he'll be making about $8 million more per season than Highsmith.
Nick Herbig fantasy football FAQ
- What did NFL - The Athletic say about Nick Herbig?
- New defensive coordinator Patrick Graham plans to expand Herbig's role significantly in 2026. The Steelers will deploy a package featuring all three outside linebackers on the field simultaneously, especially in passing situations, and Herbig could receive a larger snap share in traditional personnel packages as well. This expansion comes after Herbig logged just 11 career starts through his first three seasons despite producing 16 sacks, 79 tackles (13 for loss), and 14 turnovers. Herbig signed a four-year, $100 million extension with $42 million guaranteed through 2030, making him one of the Steelers' highest-paid edge rushers. When the deal kicks in, he'll earn approximately $8 million more per season than teammate Alex Highsmith, despite having just 11 career starts. This contract reflects the Steelers' confidence in his scheme fit and production trajectory; he produced 7.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and one interception in his most productive season (2025).
- Is this good or bad for Nick Herbig's fantasy football value?
- STACKED tags this as a positive fantasy football signal for Nick Herbig (LB). Herbig gets expanded role and $100M extension despite just 11 career starts
- Where can I see Nick Herbig's full 2026 fantasy outlook, projections, and ADP?
- Nick Herbig's complete 2026 fantasy football outlook — projections, ADP movement across every platform, injury context, and all source-backed STACKED insights — is on their STACKED player profile.