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Steelers sign Herbig to HisBig extension

The Steelers now have $83 million dedicated to three edge rushers for 2026. Insanity.



I said in an earlier post that this defense again could be the highest paid defense in the NFL.

I also hoped we would get better production due to tthe scheme being changed and coaching change over.

Time will tell, but we must also understand that it will take some time to erase / change the dynamics of the previous coaching staff.

Contracts need to run their course, players age out, and we are actually signing players to a second contract.




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We don’t care what Cheatriot fans think.


I for one second that and will supply the

RED
HOT
POKER

To be used on all cheatriot & MASShole anything, including those that think we give a **** about what MASShole fans think.!

NOTE: If a Steelers fan turns out to care about the cheatriots crap, we will still use said device, just a slightly lower, then turn to much higher…… settings. We will use the XG-6000 Auto Heal, burns like hell on the way in…heals on the way out.





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Herbig has nice numbers for a small sampler size.

They werent looking for him to get out there on the field on short and goal or obvious running downs.

I like Highsmith. Im not sold that Herbig isnt a one trick pony ,, ie more than a pass rusher.

Now highsmith isnt at mandatory mini camp today.

I like herbig,, but im not 42 mil gaurenteed sold. on him.
 
Herbig has nice numbers for a small sampler size.

They werent looking for him to get out there on the field on short and goal or obvious running downs.

I like Highsmith. Im not sold that Herbig isnt a one trick pony ,, ie more than a pass rusher.

Now highsmith isnt at mandatory mini camp today.

I like herbig,, but im not 42 mil gaurenteed sold. on him.
That is the question, is he a one-trick pony? I like him, but Highsmith and Watt are both really good all-down players.

With that said, though, wouldn't be surprised if Graham cooks up some different looks this year where all three are on the field for a number of snaps. Also, always good to recognize that the NFL isn't a 11 player on D league anymore, that you often use 16-18 players on D to specialize. I would expect an interesting situational mix this year, and with his $ not really hitting until next year, I keep all three and talk trade next year.
 
This is just another example of having the most expensive defense in NFL history only to perform middle of the pack. I like Herbig but I can't see keeping all three of those guys. Watt is untradeable so I think Highsmith is the odd guy out. Trade him while he has value instead of waiting too long like with Watt.
 
Steelers’ media relations guy said Highsmith had an undisclosed illness today, it was the veterans last mandatory day. He also wasn’t available to the media and won’t be until training camp begins. Now you can make what you want out of it but I don’t believe in coincidences like these. I can understand him being upset and told the front office as much but I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop.

As far as Herbig getting the one trick pony (pass rusher) label, he has come a long way from his first season and a half in his play against the run and has also displayed a Watt like ability for turnovers. I gotta believe the team is happy with Sawyer’s development and expect to see him on the field a lot this year, especially in running situations.

Having four OLBs is a great thing but waiting another year to trade Highsmith leaves him with 1 year left on his contract, less valuable in a trade scenario and always a hold in possibility especially with Herbig’s contract and that’s not taking into consideration another injury in 2026 which is always part of the Highsmith conversation.
 
This is just another example of having the most expensive defense in NFL history only to perform middle of the pack. I like Herbig but I can't see keeping all three of those guys. Watt is untradeable so I think Highsmith is the odd guy out. Trade him while he has value instead of waiting too long like with Watt.
I'd guess there's a good chance the Steelers keep all three this year. A contender who thought they were a pass rusher away would absolutely trade for Watt if the Steelers made him available and he'd be worth more than many think.
 
I'd guess there's a good chance the Steelers keep all three this year. A contender who thought they were a pass rusher away would absolutely trade for Watt if the Steelers made him available and he'd be worth more than many think.

Yeah, I'm always curious why people think that trading a game-changing player makes the team better. Watt is a likely HOF player. So far in his career, he has 115 sacks, 136 tackles for a loss, 36 forced fumbles,14 fumble recoveries (mainly ones he caused) and 9 interceptions. A player with those skills and that production is incredibly difficult to find.

"But he's old and declining!" The reason we went fantastic players, HOF players, on the team is that even when they decline, their production is still elite. TJ Watt right now is still better than 90% of edge rushers.
 
I don’t want to trade WATT at all this season.

Let’s see what this new scheme / coaching can do as I think it will greatly benefit TJ’s career and numbers.

That old schematic for the defense, took players strengths away and set up bad matches as well (good Riddance)

I think we sure hoping to see a vastly improved defense that is way less predictable.




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I do; I want to move on from Watt but I'd like to get SOMETHING for him. We have to reallocate where the money is spent on this team. I love Watt but I'm a Steeler fan first, not just a Watt fan.
 
Yep..... Might be the punching his ticket to elsewhere. It's not like he isn't making good $$.


He signed his contract and agreed to those terms.

His absentee isn’t necessarily going to mean he demands a trade, but who knows.

Reminds me of Cam Heyward wanting a new deal after signing his contract.

I think Highsmiths has time now to rethink his actions and will be good to go come TC.

Should there still be friction,………….. he will end up traded (2nd & a 5th)




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Herbig has nice numbers for a small sampler size.

This, attrition and fatigue are both factors.

Are you certain?

brian-baumgartner-badumtss.gif

Am I certain that between power five football and the NFL, at some point, over one season, Pat Surtain II was the best CB in said circumstance? In my humble opinion, yes. Regarding the rest of it? No, things still surprise me. It’s just seldom in a good way. Regarding Joseph’s extension, I view 3/60 with 30 guaranteed or 2/40 with 25 guaranteed as a prove it extension. He’d be 28 or 29 when it was reevaluated. We’re not factoring in the law of diminishing returns. Ya never know when those guys are going to fall off a cliff. There’s still room for another contract in there. That seems fair with what I’ve seen. I’ll preface this with I watched less last year. That was supposedly his best showing overall.

Like I said…..a little friendly wager could be in play here. Giddy up.

All told he’s going to be a very well off young man.
Joey……triple bag it. Nothing good happens after midnight. And for heaven’s sake hide your money well,and don’t get married for another 15 years.

No thank you, I mostly wager on golf or poker. NFL contracts aren’t really my thing. Prenups are a wonderful thing.
 
Let's see how they structure that contract, as it's an extension from his current contract. This season he should keep his rookie salary plus the bonus divided among the total years, so 45M/5 would be 9 extra millions to his rookie salary
The guarantees don't necessarily have to relate to current payments. Base salary and/or roster/option bonuses that are payable in 2027 and 2028 (or even 2029 and 2030, although less likely) can be guaranteed.
I understand that.

However, even if the Steelers structure it the way @Litos believes they will, we're still looking at a bloated 2026 cap hit of nearly 75 million dollars amongst three players for two spots on the field:

Watt 42 mill
Highsmith 20.1 mill
Herbig 12.24 mill

Still too much, in my opinion.
 
I understand that.

However, even if the Steelers structure it the way @Litos believes they will, we're still looking at a bloated 2026 cap hit of nearly 75 million dollars amongst three players for two spots on the field:

Watt 42 mill
Highsmith 20.1 mill
Herbig 12.24 mill

Still too much, in my opinion.



When the new coach took over the team, initially I thought for sure we would lose the “highest paid” defense moniker.

I now realize it will take a season or two to change that moniker.

I’m not saying the Herbig signing was a mistake, quite the contrary as I’m glad they got that done.

We just have some previously signed “big hits” monetarily wise.

Under the old coaching regime, that price did not equal productivity.

Hopefully under the new vision, that productivity shines bright and we get into top 10 type defenses.



Salute the nation
 
Herbig has nice numbers for a small sampler size.

They werent looking for him to get out there on the field on short and goal or obvious running downs.

I like Highsmith. Im not sold that Herbig isnt a one trick pony ,, ie more than a pass rusher.

Now highsmith isnt at mandatory mini camp today.

I like herbig,, but im not 42 mil gaurenteed sold. on him.

Same. Watt's career low in snap count pct is 73% in 2021, every other year between 82-88%.

Herbig's three years? 17%, 50%, 60%.

Not sure he earned this raise.
 
When the new coach took over the team, initially I thought for sure we would lose the “highest paid” defense moniker.

I now realize it will take a season or two to change that moniker.

I’m not saying the Herbig signing was a mistake, quite the contrary as I’m glad they got that done.

We just have some previously signed “big hits” monetarily wise.

Under the old coaching regime, that price did not equal productivity.

Hopefully under the new vision, that productivity shines bright and we get into top 10 type defenses.
The new staff must really like what they see with Herbig. I think that @Litos is probably right in thinking that either Watt or Highsmith will be gone next season. It's just not financially feasible to continue to spend that much for three rotating players.
 
Nothing against Herbig, he has been a stud as a rotational pass rusher.
He better put up TJ Watt numbers with that payday.
TJ put up elite #'s to earn his first big payday going into year 4, Nick has not had half the production.
I could be wrong but I haven't seen anything that suggests he's the second coming of TJ Watt,
The fact they paid him like he is is premature in my book.
You pay for production not potential.
He got 100 million with 42 million guaranteed based on potential??
Not me
 
The new staff must really like what they see with Herbig. I think that @Litos is probably right in thinking that either Watt or Highsmith will be gone next season. It's just not financially feasible to continue to spend that much for three rotating players.
Perhaps one gets shipped off so that they aren’t butting heads for playing time.

Far as the money when you don’t have to pay a QB up the ying yang perhaps you can pay three OLBs decent money.

Anywho it won’t be a burden this season at least with the way those extensions hit so if they desire they can hold onto all three for now.

I am not sold that Highsmith was sick the other day so this situation needs watching.
 
I don’t want to trade WATT at all this season.

Let’s see what this new scheme / coaching can do as I think it will greatly benefit TJ’s career and numbers.

That old schematic for the defense, took players strengths away and set up bad matches as well (good Riddance)

I think we sure hoping to see a vastly improved defense that is way less predictable.




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Exactly! They did the exact same **** ever week for years. No changing **** even when they knew it wasn't working.

An actual scheme per opponent. The players will actually have to use their brains and elevate out of the same ole status quo.

I'm looking forward to something a little more cerebral and tactical. That is my expectation anyway.
 
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