PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – The Pittsburgh Steelers raised some questions about their defense when they made the bold choice to extend linebacker Nick Herbig with a four-year, $100 million deal. Now with both Herbig and TJ Watt locked up for the foreseeable future, what is to come of Alex Highsmith? How will the Steelers balance utilizing the three players in their defensive gameplan?
Former NFL general manager Doug Whaley joined the 93.7 The Fan Morning Show on Tuesday to discuss those questions and shared his insight into what he believes the Steelers’ coaching staff will do going forward.
“Defensive coordinator Patrick Graham went to (general manager Omar Khan) and said, ‘Listen, I have a plan for these three guys. You lock (Herbig) up. I got a plan for this year and then also it sets us up for subsequent years,’” Whaley said.
Ever since capturing his ever-elusive first NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award back in 2021, Watt has struggled to put up consistent numbers over the past four campaigns as one of Pittsburgh’s highest-paid players. Last season, his seven sacks through 14 games were tied for 35th in the NFL and tied the second-lowest total of his nine-year NFL career.
But according to Whaley, the Steelers are prepared if Watt’s struggles continue into next season.
Whaley made the point that if TJ Watt continues to decline over the next few seasons, Graham will use Highsmith and Herbig to supplement Watt’s reps to keep him as fresh as possible during games.
He also added that this plan would allow the Steelers’ defense to more relentlessly attack the quarterback, and potentially even match the pass rush of some of the NFL’s top defenses like the Houston Texans and Philadelphia Eagles.
“Getting to the quarterback with force so we can maximize our numbers and coverage, that’s the plan. To me, that is one of the reasons or the only reason I could think of for the Steelers to step up and pay a guy (Herbig) when they didn’t have to,” Whaley said.
Only time will tell whether that investment in Herbig was the right one.
