Steelers Truly Got Insane Value With Recent Extensions

The Pittsburgh Steelers took a couple of big gambles during mandatory minicamp in 2026. They gave out a pair of four-year extensions to players that are not exactly seen as regular starters at the NFL level. Tight end Darnell Washington received a $42 million deal with half of it being guaranteed, while Nick Herbig inked a contract to earn $100 million. With these new extensions in hand, the expectation is that both of them will see more significant playing time, while becoming regular contributors to a team that needs experienced playmakers like these men. 

These big contracts may not be as risky as first thought, however. While making an appearance on NFL Live, reporter Brooke Pryor explained the rationale for paying both of these players now, as opposed to letting them finish out their rookie contracts and re-evaluating them.

"The Steelers spent $142 million this week; that is a lot of money," Pryor said. "It would be a lot more if they let those guys hit the open market because of what free agents are getting paid, and particularly, what these two guys could get paid. They are unicorn players. There is no one like Darnell Washington in the NFL... Nick Herbig has not had a full season as a starter in the NFL, yet he's been incredibly productive when he's been on the field."

With every passing year, the amount of money that players demand keep rising. Recently, Charlie Kolar reset the blocking tight end market with the contract he received from the Los Angeles Chargers. He's a good player, but he's not nearly as big, strong, or athletic as Washington is, so it only makes sense that No. 80 receives more money. 

As Pryor said, there is only one Darnell Washington in the NFL. So many teams would do anything to have a player like him on the team. He's built like an offensive lineman, but he can still run and catch productively. He's practically a cheat code that only the Steelers are able to use. On paper, paying $10.5 million per year to a TE2 is not smart, but if he went to free agency, at least one team would offer him significantly more.

Meanwhile, edge rusher contracts are out of control. In the span of a year, the highest paid player at that position went from $35 million per year to $50 million per year. When put into perspective like that, Herbig's contract of $25 million per year is actually not bad at all. Sure, he's officially a backup on the depth chart currently, but he would likely be a starter on any other team with a 3-4 scheme. 

He is a little ball of energy that can't be contained by even the best offensive tackles in the NFL. Not only does he create splash plays on a regular basis, but he's recently become an analytical darling that makes Myles Garrett look just "okay" in comparison in that regard. An increased role should only make him look better to fans everywhere. Soon enough, Nick Herbig will be a household name like Garrett is. 

Steelers Have To Get Another Contract Done As Quickly As Possible

There's no doubt that it will take a while for Joey Porter Jr. to come to terms with the Steelers on a contract extension. The cornerback market has also shot up hard recently, especially with the $30+-million-per-year contracts handed out to Sauce Gardner and Trent McDuffie. 

However, if the two sides can't come to an agreement soon enough, someone else might get paid and raise Porter's price tag.