Although many new fans may find it hard to believe, there was once a time when the Wisconsin Badgers football team was considered a pipeline for producing NFL prospects. From Pro Bowl running backs to star-studded linebackers, Wisconsin was seemingly on top of the world for a stretch.
One of the many players the Badgers produced was Nick Herbig, who, after having a very successful career in Madison, has replicated his dominance at the next level. Herbig, now fresh off a career-high 7.5-sack season was up for an extension this offseason with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and boy did they ever extend him.
Earned Contract
The Steelers locked up Herbig for the next four years, giving him a hefty extension that will total $100 million if he plays out the entirety of the deal. Of that, $42 million is guaranteed, meaning Herbig will be more than set financially even if he isn't able to fully live up to the billing.
Edge Nick Herbig and the Pittsburgh Steelers reached agreement today on a four-year, $100 million dollar extension that includes $42 million guaranteed per @MikeGarafolo and me.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 2, 2026
The deal was negotiated by Joe DiBenedetto, Andy Simms and Ken Sarnoff of @1OF1FOOTBALL. pic.twitter.com/NHURhHBxbE
To many, this move may come as a surprise given Pittsburgh already has two Pro Bowl edge rushers on the roster in Alex Highsmith and fellow Wisconsin alumnus T. J. Watt. Because of this, Herbig has mostly operated as a rotational pass rusher, filling in for whoever is tired or being deployed in specific packages.
Despite that, Herbig has consistently looked like a special talent when on the field and projects as an impact player for the Steelers long term. Now, with the added contract commitment, he will likely be stepping into an even larger role next season, creating even more opportunities for production.
Whether Herbig can live up to the expectations that come with this new contract remains to be seen, but for now, it goes down as a big win for a Badgers program that has struggled to come across many of those in recent years.
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