Nick Herbig is fresh off of signing a monster 4 year extension worth up to 100 million dollars with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Herbig’s role in the Steelers defense has grown in each of his three years with the team, and that trend is likely to continue in 2026. However, the newly-extended defender is confident in one of his teammates to also take a massive step forward in 2026.
Appearing on Cam Heyward’s “Not Just Football” podcast, Herbig took time to talk about fellow edge rusher Jack Sawyer. Herbig was pretty clear that he believes that Sawyer is due for a big second year in the league.
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“Jack’s gonna have a big year. I think it’s gonna be a breakout year for him. He looks good, he leaned up, looks twitchy,” Herbig told Heyward. “He’s coming to Wisconsin with me and T.J. this year for three weeks. I think that will be huge for him, but I expect him to have a big year.”
Sawyer was selected in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft by Pittsburgh out of Ohio State. The defender was a huge part of the Buckeyes run to the National Championship, but played a more limited role as a rookie on a loaded Pittsburgh defensive line.
Sawyer played just 294 snaps on defense as a rookie, but had an impact in those limited reps. He posted a sack on 15 pressures and two interceptions. Herbig mentioned that he and Sawyer will continue to work with T.J. Watt as the team enters a bit of a dead period before training camp begins in late July. If the Steelers defense wants to have a strong season, it’s likely that Herbig and Sawyer taking a step forward are a big part of that.
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