Nick Herbig Extension Presents Major Problem for Steelers in 2027
· Yahoo Sports
One major piece of business was taken care of on Tuesday as the Pittsburgh Steelers crossed the finish line with a Nick Herbig extension. According to ESPN reporter Brooke Pryor, the 24-year-old edge rusher signed a four-year deal worth $100 million and $42 million guaranteed.
This comes after Herbig said he wanted to be “a Steeler for life” and is willing to embrace multiple roles.
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“I wouldn’t call myself not a starter,” Herbig told Chris Halicke of DK Pittsburgh Sports. “I would just say I’m a team guy. If you need me to play off the ball, on the ball, to run down on punt… I’m a Steeler. There’s no starters and backups, I’m a Steeler.”
While the Steelers find themselves in a great position for the upcoming season with their top three edge rushers financially content, a major financial problem looms for Pittsburgh. Unfortunately for Steelers fans, it’s a problem that will alienate the fanbase and have major ramifications for 2027 and beyond.
Nick Herbig Extension Presents Major Problem for Steelers in 2027
Nick Herbig Extension Will Lead to T.J. Watt or Alex Highsmith Being Traded
Let’s just get right to the point. The Herbig extension needed to be done, and general manager Omar Khan was not going to let him walk in free agency. However, it now reveals the Steelers will say goodbye to veteran Alex Highsmith, who has already been the subject of trade rumors, or to All-Pro T.J. Watt after the upcoming season. All three will be under contract for 2027, but the issue stems from the team’s financial situation.
Watt has the highest salary for 2027 and also the largest cap hit. According to Spotrac, his salary will be $32 million with a $42 million cap hit. Highsmith, on the other hand, will make $15.5 million and have a $20.102 million cap hit. The year-by-year details of the Herbig extension have not yet been revealed, but let’s presume he will be making $25 million each year starting in 2027. That would mean Pittsburgh is committing $72.5 million to just three players. Financially, it just isn’t possible for the Steelers.
It won’t be easy for Khan and new head coach Mike McCarthy to move on from either edge rusher. However, there is a case to be made for why it makes sense to trade both of them.
Nick Herbig Extension Could Lead to T.J. Watt Trade
Watt is the obvious trade candidate for a variety of reasons, and the biggest one is simply his salary. Paying a player $32 million in a season where he will turn 33 years old is an eye sore, so it makes sense that the Steelers would want to move on from that. Add in name recognition and previous accolades, and Watt could still fetch a quality return for Pittsburgh. It may not be as big of a return as it could have been, but that’s a conversation for a different day.
Given the recent package the Cleveland Browns received when trading Myles Garrett, it entices the Steelers to offload their defensive cornerstone in hopes of getting about 75% of the package the Los Angeles Rams had to put together.
Nick Herbig Extension Could Also be Alex Highsmith’s Exit Ticket
On the other hand, trading Highsmith may be more beneficial to the Steelers. Teams could be more likely to bite on him simply due to a smaller salary and lower cap hit in 2027 that would allow them to add more talent elsewhere on the roster. Highsmith’s cap hit will be less than half of Watt’s cap hit for 2027, which makes a major difference to contenders.
Highsmith is also four years younger than Watt, which could allow him to command a higher return. The Coastal Carolina product will be 29 years old in 2027 and hitting his prime just in time for a payday, as he will be a free agent in 2028. Teams across the league could be willing to take a chance on Highsmith having a strong season next year and then paying him in the following offseason.
One thing is certain, though, is a major decision is in store for the Steelers’ front office.
Main Photo Courtesy of Barry Reeger – Imagn Images