The Pittsburgh Steelers have been in great hands ever since TJ Watt started wreaking havoc on opposing offenses. Watt has emerged as one of the league's top players since the Steelers selected him in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft. His dominance in the NFL has not only bolstered the Steelers' defense, but has also elevated the performance of those around him.
One player benefiting from playing alongside Watt is Nick Herbig. Both players share a Wisconsin connection, having played their college football there, though they never played together due to the age difference. Despite this, Watt mentored Herbig before he entered the NFL, and now as teammates in Pittsburgh, Watt continues to guide him.
Herbig recently appeared on the Steel Here podcast with Kevin Adams and Jersey Jerry, where he was asked about swapping celebrations with Watt. Herbig shared a hilarious story about how Cam Heyward once tried to convince him to steal Watt's sack celebration. However, Watt quickly made it clear to Herbig that this was off-limits.
"We have joked about it on the sideline. Cam will be like, 'Hey bro, I dare you to do TJ's celly when you make a play.' And TJ will be like, 'Don’t you dare do it.' I told Cam I was going to do it, but when you get a sack, you blackout. So I didn’t remember to do it, but I definitely wanted to do it, but I didn’t."
Herbig admitted that he wanted to imitate Watt's signature sack celebration after making a big play, but in the heat of the moment, he forgot. While Watt's warning not to copy his celebration was made in jest, the story highlights the unique bond between the two players. Their relationship began long before they became teammates in Pittsburgh, with Watt mentoring Herbig even before his NFL days.
As a rookie, Herbig didn’t get many opportunities, but when he did, he made them count. One of his standout moments came in a crucial game against the Seattle Seahawks, where he strip-sacked Geno Smith. That play shifted the momentum in the Steelers' favor and was a key factor in securing the victory.
Now entering his second season, expectations for Herbig are even higher. While he flew somewhat under the radar as a rookie, he's now poised to take on a larger role with more eyes on him. The Steelers' defense is already stacked with talent, and the rise of a potential star like Herbig has Steeler Nation buzzing with excitement.
Steelers' Nick Herbig Expected To Have Breakout 2024 Season
Herbig has continued to build on his rookie success, picking up right where he left off during the preseason. His impact on the field was evident, and he hopes to carry that momentum into the regular season. Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin has taken notice of Herbig’s progress and has been very impressed with his development.
Tomlin acknowledged that Herbig deserves an even greater role in the 2024 season, setting the stage for what could be a breakout year for the young linebacker.
As Herbig continues to learn from Watt and make his mark on the team, the Steelers' defense looks primed for another dominant season. Steelers fans will hope to get to see plenty of Herbig and Watt celebrations in the upcoming season.
