Amid ongoing speculation about his long-term future, Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Nick Herbig is advised to bet on himself by playing out 2026 and entering free agency in 2027, potentially commanding top-dollar deals, rather than signing an extension now. His agent expressed a desire for Herbig to stay in Pittsburgh for life, but recent free agency contracts suggest higher earnings await.
Following the 2026 free agency and draft periods—and amid earlier trade rumors and predictions of a potential departure—the Steelers are weighing extensions for key players like OLB Nick Herbig, CB Joey Porter Jr., TE Darnell Washington, DT Keeanu Benton, and K Chris Boswell. Herbig's agent, Joe DiBenedetto, told former NFL DL Breiden Fehoko on a podcast: “Nick wants to be a Pittsburgh Steeler for life, and I hope that we can make that happen.” DiBenedetto added, “I fully believe if Nick was starting full-time... he would be one of the top five edge rushers in football.”
Herbig's current average annual value is $1,128,231, seen as under market given his production. Analysts project $13.75 million APY for an extension, like comps to K’Lavon Chaisson and Jonathan Cooper, potentially totaling $31.174 million over two years through 2028 with $14 million guaranteed. However, recent deals—Odafe Oweh's four-year, $96 million pact with the Commanders and Dareke Mafe's three-year, $60 million with the Bengals—indicate Herbig could fetch at least $28 million APY in 2027 unrestricted free agency if he excels next season. With few elite edge rushers hitting the market in March 2027, analysts say skipping an extension maximizes his value. A Steelers deal is unlikely to top $13.75 million new money APY and may not come until training camp.
