PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – We have seen glimpses from Steelers rookie outside linebacker Nick Herbig this season. First in August the preseason and then again sprinkled throughout 2023. Now the fourth-round pick from Wisconsin getting his biggest role yet on his biggest stage.
Herbig, with veteran Markus Golden, will attempt to do some of the things TJ Watt does to impact a game with Watt out due to a knee injury. As Mike Tomlin said it 'you got a few lines in the water' when you are trying to make up from the production lost by Watt not being there.
"That's stuff you dream about when you are a little kid," Herbig said. "You see this on TV-Wild Card weekend-you see that. Just being able to be a part of it and leave my mark."
He only turned 22-years-old right before Thanksgiving, Herbig has been a constant on special teams, but did have a sack/forced fumble against the Seahawks, seven tackles against New England, plus sacks against the Bengals and Rams.
The fourth-round pick has noticed other players stepping up at different positions due to injury. He's seen guys like Eric Rowe, Trenton Thompson, Mason Rudolph take advantage of those chances. Now it's his turn.
"He's been working all year," said outside linebacker Alex Highsmith. "Ever since he got here from the first day of OTAs, he's come in and worked hard.
Every time he's come in he's made some type of impact play. For him to be able to come in and step up, he's built for this moment."
"He's a great player," said linebacker Mykal Walker, who is another player who's taken his chance and run with it. "He's a young player who has so much energy. He's like a light in the room. He sparks everybody up. He gets me fired up. I can't say enough about him. He's a great player."
"We kinda had a bond this whole year and I think they believe in me, which I appreciate," Herbig said. "A lot of guys are saying 'we believe in you'. It's your time to step up. TJ was telling me that. Having that support from a bunch of guys in the room, from my coaches.
I'm excited."
He had 20 sacks, 30 tackles for loss and 108 tackles in his last two seasons at the University of Wisconsin. There are times where he's been the star player, he's had a three tackle for loss game against Michigan, two sacks against Notre Dame, two and a half sacks against Iowa and also in a bowl game. He also had a three sack game against Iowa last year. He's not expecting to do that, but has the confidence that he can make plays.
Herbig said while he's been waiting, he's been taking mental reps. Watching what the team is doing and understanding how he would play if he were in the game. Sunday, he'll be the one in the game and said he's ready to step up and 'will this team to a victory'.
"It just comes down to your preparation and hard work," Herbig said. "When the lights come on, we are going to see preparation and hard work come to fruition."
