Steelers T.J. Watt Backup Labeled Among NFL's Most Underrated

The Pittsburgh Steelers take a lot of pride in their defense, so it is no surprise that they have backup guys who are very solid.

In a recent article by PFF's Jonathon Macri, he outlines who he thinks is the most underrated player on every NFL team. For the Steelers, he thinks that player is linebacker Nick Herbig, who had a bigger role this past season than he ever has.

"Since 2022, Herbig owns a 91.4 PFF pass-rush grade, which ranks seventh among all edge defenders with at least 250 pass-rush snaps," Macri wrote. "With Watt and Highsmith occasionally missing time due to injury, having a high-end pass rusher like Herbig waiting in the wings is a very underrated and valuable option that not many teams have the luxury of."

When you have guys like Alex Highsmith and T.J. Watt getting after the quarterback, some of their backup guys can get lost in the mix. But Herbig made the most of the opportunities he got in 2024.

He appeared in 13 games and started in five as a result of some occasional injuries to Highsmith and Watt. He finished the year with 22 total tackles, 5.5 sacks, and 11 quarterback hits. He was also able to jar the ball loose from offensive players, racking up four forced fumbles on the year.

The Steelers' defense was the driving force behind them making the playoffs this past season, and Herbig and the rest of the unit will be looking for more of the same in 2025.