The Pittsburgh Steelers and GM Omar Khan continue to add to the roster, agreeing to a two-year, $8 million deal with free agent offensive lineman Nate Herbig, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.
Herbig is listed at 6’4″, 334 pounds and can play both guard positions.
Herbig gets $4 million in guarantees, Garafolo reports. Herbig was undrafted out of Stanford in 2019 and his three seasons with the Eagles coincided with current Steelers assistant GM Andy Weidl’s time in Philadelphia. Herbig spent the 2022 season with the New York Jets.
In college, Herbig started his career at left guard, making 13 starts as a freshman before switching to right guard. He spent two seasons at right guard and also made one start at right tackle in his final season with the Cardinal. Following his career at Stanford, Herbig signed with the Eagles, where he spent the 2019, 2020, and 2021 seasons.
In Philadelphia, Herbig saw action in 33 games, starting 17 over three seasons, including 12 in 2020 at right guard.
Following his time in Philadelphia, Herbig signed a one-year deal with the New York Jets in free agency and started 11 games for the Jets last season. During his four-year career, Herbig has played 2,803 offensive snaps and added another 177 snaps on special teams.
Last season with the Jets, Herbig graded out at a 58.0 overall in Pro Football Focus’ metrics, with a 55.7 in run blocking and a 58.6 in pass protection. Those were a decline in numbers from his time in Philadelphia where he graded out at 71.2 in 2020 and 68.1 in 2021.
In four NFL seasons, Herbig has been called for 11 penalties with just one declined, and allowed four sacks, seven quarterback hits and 44 hurries. He has played 1,648 snaps at right guard, 377 at left guard and 49 at center.
If Weidl believes in Herbig as a starter, it’s likely to be at left guard in Pittsburgh with James Daniels entrenched at right guard after signing a three-year deal last March. At the very least, Herbig and incumbent left guard Kevin Dotson will battle for the starting job in training camp.
Connor McGovern, who also played for the Jets last season, has spoken rather highly of Herbig. So has Jets head coach Robert Saleh.
“Nasty Nate man, he brings a lot of attitude,” McGovern said. “He’s going to definitely go all the way to the whistle, if not a little bit past the whistle! He’s a great dude. Great locker room guy. A lot of energy. He is really good at keeping it a little light.”
“I love his mentality and how he approaches the game. He’s nasty,” Saleh said. “He’s everything you want in an offensive lineman. He probably smells bad, too. I’m just kidding, Herbie. It’s more of a testament to Herbie and forcing his way onto the football field and playing our best five.”
