PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – One thing you notice immediately about new Steelers offensive lineman Nate Herbig. He’s a man of few words and wants to do nothing but play the game.
“Man, I love football,” Herbig said in the Steelers news conference room on Thursday. “I love to play the game of football. I feel like football is played a certain way and I’m going to play it that way.”
“I’m happy to be here, old-school, smash-mouth. I like that stuff. As you can see I’m built for it. I’m happy to be here.”
Herbig, 6’4”, 334 originally from Hawaii, signed for two years, reportedly $8 million with $4 million guaranteed. The former Stanford two-time all-conference guard was an undrafted free agent signing with the Eagles in 2019. He started 12 games at right guard for the Eagles in 2020 and 11 games last year with the Jets. He had an in with the new Steelers assistant general manager.
“Andy Weidl is the GOAT,” Herbig said. “He’s the man. He was in Philly when I was in Philly. Had that connection a little bit, just happy to be here. Happy to be in the same building as him.”
He said he would punt if they need him to and that it didn’t matter to him if he plays left guard (more likely to compete with Kevin Dotson) or right guard. He does feel like many undrafted players, he was overlooked and has something to prove.
“I definitely have a chip on my shoulder,” Herbig said. “I feel like people label me or say my limitations so every year I try to work and improve and be a real player.”
He has another connection to Pittsburgh, when he was at Stanford, they would watch David DeCastro play for the Steelers. He said they would marvel at how good he was and while he doesn’t really know him personally, he feels like he does. He’s also high on the current Steelers.
“Studs everywhere, I think they are really building something here,” Herbig said. “It’s the Steelers, come on, what isn’t there to like about it. I don’t have enough good things to say. They’ve been good for a long time. Coach Tomlin is an unbelievable head coach.
Hopefully I can add.”
Herbig had a few players already reach out to him, including quarterback Kenny Pickett.
“It was unbelievable,” Herbig said of his conversation with Pickett. “I had a great leader in Philadelphia with Jalen Hurts. The fact that he reached out to me. I already had so much respect for me, but even more with such a leader he is. I’m excited to be around him and on his team.”
The immediate impression is its hard not to like this guy or his story. He looks and sounds like every offensive lineman you would want on your team, especially here in Pittsburgh.
“I love the game of football, I think it’s an art,” Herbig said. “I think it should be played a certain way. That’s why I love to play the game, but I’m a great guy.”
He said the last part with a smile, one he couldn’t wipe off his face after becoming a Pittsburgh Steeler.