With the 2026 free company signing interval and the draft now behind us, it’s time to look forward to a few of the remaining work the Pittsburgh Steelers might need this offseason. Extra particularly, potential contract extensions that might happen.
Whereas most will most likely agree that CB Joey Porter Jr. is more likely to lead the precedence listing in relation to gamers who might signal extensions this offseason, the opposite listing of candidates ought to probably embrace TE Darnell Washington, OLB Nick Herbig, DT Keeanu Benton and Ok Chris Boswell. On this submit, I need to deal with Herbig and why it is likely to be smart for him to finally guess on himself in 2026 and thus not signal a contract extension with the Steelers this offseason.
As of proper now, Herbig is ready to earn $3.674 million in 2026. That’s as a result of he obtained a Confirmed Efficiency Escalator elevate this offseason. Whereas that’s a pleasant money whole for Herbig for the 2026 season, I believe most would agree that he’s very underpaid after his first three NFL seasons. His present APY, for instance, is simply $1,128,231.
With regards to Herbig wanting to stay in Pittsburgh shifting ahead previous the 2026 season, and thus signal a contract extension this offseason, his agent, Joe DiBenedetto, appeared to set the report straight on that matter when he just lately talked to former NFL defensive lineman Breiden Fehoko on his podcast. DiBenedetto seemingly gave a glimpse into how Herbig and his camp may very well be viewing his future with the Steelers as early as this offseason.
“I fully believe if Nick was starting full-time in this league, he would be one of the top five edge rushers in football,” DiBenedetto informed Fehoko. “You know, opportunity is everything, right? He gets to learn from Alex [Highsmith] and T.J. [Watt] from day one. Not getting into too many of those nuances that are ongoing, but Nick wants to be a Pittsburgh Steeler for life, and I hope that we can make that happen.”
Within the desk under, I’ve compiled the common season stats from the final two seasons of not Herbig, however a number of different gamers to make use of pretty much as good comparatives to him. That desk of knowledge additionally consists of the present APY for every participant. A number of the superior stats (pressures & stops) come courtesy of Professional Soccer Focus.
If we’re being sincere in relation to the chosen comparative gamers I’ve listed within the desk, Herbig most likely greatest compares to Ok’Lavon Chaisson of the Washington Commanders. In actual fact, if we had been to make use of the final three seasons of stats, as a substitute of simply two, Chaisson is the lone participant that greatest matches Herbig.
One might make a superb argument that Herbig might evaluate considerably equally to Jonathan Cooper of the Denver Broncos had the previous been in a position to come near equaling his defensive snap whole of 1502 for the final two seasons. In brief, if one made the argument that Herbig ought to slot someplace between Chaisson and Cooper, I will surely hearken to that and would most likely agree.
With regards to Odafe Oweh and Boye Maye, I think about each of these gamers to be outliers in relation to their present APYs as each signed new long-term contracts as unrestricted free brokers this previous offseason. Whereas Chaisson signed as an unrestricted free agent this offseason as effectively, his take care of the Commanders was only for one 12 months. Moreover, Chaisson’s new contract solely included $10.3 million in totally assured cash.
If we cut up the APY distinction between Cooper and Chaisson, we’ve a mean of $12.25 million. That looks as if a good present market worth for Herbig proper now. Even so, Cooper’s deal was signed in November of 2024, so due to its age, I’d entertain a notion that Herbig’s present worth would possibly ought to barely exceed it, say at $13.75 million APY.
Whereas Steelers OLB Alex Highsmith can be used within the listing of comparative gamers for this submit, in my sincere opinion, it’s exhausting to make a convincing argument that Herbig ought to rival his present APY of $17 million. If, nevertheless, one felt compelled to strongly argue in opposition to my opinion, I believe all of us would agree that that might be an extreme-max new cash APY goal for Herbig this offseason. Nonetheless, good luck getting that from the Steelers this offseason.
If we’re to imagine that Herbig’s real looking new cash APY this offseason as a part of an offseason contract extension is someplace within the neighborhood of $13.75 million, is that price Herbig’s facet price pursuing this summer time? In any case, we’re most likely speaking about Herbig signing a two-year extension with the 2 new years totaling $27.5 million and with solely his 2026 cash whole, most likely someplace round $14 million, being the one totally assured portion of the deal. In whole and based mostly on a agency new cash APY of $13.75 million, Herbig’s new contract after an extension would probably whole someplace round $31.174 and it could expire after the 2028 season.
Now, ought to Herbig resolve to gamble on himself in 2026, and thus forgo someplace round $14 million in money this upcoming season, there’s a first rate likelihood that he might grow to be considered one of, if not the highest, prize unrestricted free agent edge rushers in March of 2027. Simply take a look at what occurred this previous offseason with Oweh and Mafe as current examples. Mafe signed a three-year, $60 million contract with the Cincinnati Bengals that included $19 million totally assured. As for Oweh, he signed a four-year, $96 million contract with the Commanders of which $50.6 million was totally assured at signing. Oweh had simply 7.5 sacks in 2025 along with 47 whole pressures and Herbig might rival these stats in 2026 with the Steelers and never at the same time as a fulltime participant.
On the floor, Herbig doesn’t determine to have a lot competitors in relation to unrestricted free agent edge rushers subsequent March, no less than as we sit right here in Could of 2026. Assuming he stays wholesome and comes near matching Oweh’s 2025 manufacturing, Herbig may very well be taking a look at an APY of no less than $28 million as 2027 unrestricted free agent.
If I had been DiBenedetto, and assuming the very best new cash common provide that Herbig can get from the Steelers this offseason winds up being $13.75 million, I’d most likely advise my shopper to guess on himself in 2026. Perhaps a number of of you studying this submit would advise Herbig on the contrary.
In closing, if Herbig does finally signal a contract extension with the Steelers this offseason, I can be fairly shocked if the deal winds up having a brand new cash common larger than $13.75 million. Moreover, a contract extension for Herbig this offseason wouldn’t probably get completed till a lot nearer to the beginning of the 2026 common season.
I’m now trying ahead to studying the feedback to this submit under. Let me know what Herbig’s present APY is that this offseason and whether or not he ought to assume strongly about betting on himself in 2026, if he can’t come near urgent the present APY of Highsmith.
