Wisconsin continues to prove that it's the linebacker university (LB-U). Whether it's the Watt brothers (JJ or TJ), Zack Baun, Leo Chanel, or Vince Biegel. The list of NFL success at the linebacker position goes deep. There's another on the list that NFL Insider Gregg Rosenthal says is one of the most overlooked and underrated players in the NFL, and he can't believe the Steelers are underusing him.
Rosenthal pulls out the pass-rush win rate as a stat that Herbig has absolutely crushed. In 2024 and 2025, he led the league in this stat, and in 2024, it was by a wide margin. Ahead of guys like Myles Garrett, Micah Parsons, and Will Anderson. Herbig has been elite on the edge and getting to the quarterback. He then goes on to blast the Pittsburgh Steelers for underusing him. Put that in the category of "Things you love to see."
Nick Herbig is somehow still underrated, even by his own team pic.twitter.com/C3H3GesRM8
— Gregg Rosenthal (@greggrosenthal) May 19, 2026
Gregg Rosenthal says Nick Herbig is being underused by the Steelers
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Rosenthal is aghast when he mentions how Herbig only had one game in the final seven games of the season with over 30 snaps. He can't believe that the Steelers would underuse him, especially when he's as good as he is. "He's not underrated by Joe Fan, he's underrated by the Steelers!"
Herbig is still coming into his own a bit in the league, and maybe the Steelers haven't fully realized it. 2025 was his best year statistically with 30 tackles and 7.5 sacks, but there's room for more. Rosenthal is on to something; the Steelers need to feature him more and get his motor going.
When Wisconsin did it, in his junior year, the star linebacker had 33 tackles with 15.5 of them being for loss and 11 sacks. Herbig then decided to jump into the league and was drafted by Pittsburgh in the fourth round. He's a player who can really make a mark in the NFL, and he continues to prove that Wisconsin is LB-U.
Hopefully, the Steelers get the message for this upcoming season and let Herbig loose, he will put up huge numbers if he can stay away from injury and Wisconsin fans will nod their heads and smile.
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