The Pittsburgh Steelers wrapped up their second preseason game with a 9-3 loss to the Buffalo Bills. This marks back-to-back poor outings for the Steelers, but it’s still the preseason, so there’s no need for major alarms just yet. One of the game’s bright spots was second-year player Nick Herbig, who impressed with 1.5 sacks, further showcasing his potential to become a disruptive defensive force.
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Herbig’s performance was a strong showing, and he’ll be expected to have an even more productive 2024 season with increased opportunities. The Steelers’ defense is stacked at linebacker, but Herbig is proving he deserves more playing time. Steelers fans are hopeful he can continue making splash plays and become a consistent contributor in 2024.
In a humorous moment during the game, a Steelers reporter caught an exchange between Herbig and Head Coach Mike Tomlin. Tomlin addressed him as "Mr. Herbig," a cool moment for the young player.
After the game Herbig took time to speak with the Steelers media. He was asked about the funny exchange with Tomlin. Herbig detailed the exchange with his head coach as one of the greatest feelings in the world.
"That's probably like top five best feelings in the world I would say."
While receiving praise from your boss is always exciting, Herbig was later asked about what it’s like getting yelled at by Tomlin and whether that’s the toughest part of playing for him.
No one wants to be on the receiving end of being yelled at by the boss. Herbig believes that while it's one of the worst parts of playing for him, it's needed.
"Yes and no because you know he cares if he is yelling at you. If he’s getting on you, you know he cares and he just wants nothing but the best for you. Yeah it’s not good to get yelled at by him."
Herbig is an electrifying player who has made a significant impact despite his limited playing time. His standout performances during the preseason have only heightened fans' anticipation of what he could achieve with more opportunities.
Steeler Nation saw how much of a game wrecker Herbig could be when he got a strip sack against the Seattle Seahawks in 2023. It was a play that seriously helped change the outcome of an important game. Steelers fans will expect to see more of that in 2024.
Herbig's ability to absorb and respond to Tomlin's intense coaching is a testament to his commitment and growth. While the coaching may not always be pleasant, Herbig recognizes its importance for his development and is eager to use the feedback to improve his game.
Steelers Struggle To Execute Against Buffalo
While the Steelers' performance against the Bills was disappointing, there were some positives to take away, with Herbig standing out as a bright spot. Herbig had a solid game and will look to build on this momentum as the 2024 regular season approaches. The defense, at times, showed resilience by limiting the Bills to just nine points.
However, trying to find a silver lining in a preseason game can be quite silly. The offense didn't score enough points and failed to execute on important downs. With two underwhelming performances so far, the Steelers have work to do to address their issues before the regular season begins.
