As the Pittsburgh Steelers prepare for their trip to Dublin, Ireland, all eyes could turn to one player capable of swinging the ball game.
A young edge rusher who has quickly established himself as a disruptive force, leading the team with 10 pressures through three games, the spotlight centers on Nick Herbig over the pond this weekend, as Alex Highsmith remains sidelined with a high ankle sprain.
Herbig’s production this season has come from more than just raw speed. He combines quickness with excellent bend around the edge and the power to disengage from blockers, giving quarterbacks almost no clean pockets to operate in.
His 10 pressures may seem modest on paper through three weeks (roughly 3.3 per start), but the way he forces signal-callers into hurried decisions is invaluable. Furthermore, considering the opposing starter is Carson Wentz for the Vikings, his presence becomes all the more important.
In all, Pittsburgh faces a unique scenario this week. Wentz, while a veteran with plenty of experience, is not the same quarterback he once was all the way back in Philadelphia years ago. He has struggled when facing consistent pressure, often forcing throws into tight windows and showing tendencies to make poor decisions under duress.
Minnesota has Justin Jefferson to funnel targets toward, but if Wentz doesn't have time and the Steelers' secondary can limit space, it's a recipe to create turnovers all afternoon long.
Nick Herbig could be an X-Factor for the Pittsburgh Steelers against the Minnesota Vikings
For Herbig, his impact does not solely come as a pass-rush specialist; he can hold up against the run while still maintaining a threat to disrupt the quarterback. It's a three-down ability that makes it difficult for opposing offensive coordinators to scheme around him.
Herbig’s emergence has also allowed the Steelers to diversify their defensive looks. Pittsburgh can rotate him in ways that create confusion along the offensive line. Whether it’s a stunt, a delayed blitz, or a simple one-on-one matchup, Herbig has the tools to exploit weaknesses.
Against a backup quarterback like Wentz, who may take longer to process pre-snap movement and disguised pressure, getting home can not only lead to a loss of yards, but a strip-sack, or even more, a return for six.
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Beyond the numbers and techniques, there’s a psychological component. A young, high-energy edge rusher like Herbig sets a tone for HC Mike Tomlin's group. When quarterbacks know there’s a constant threat of pressure, confidence can erode rapidly.
Ultimately, should Pittsburgh want to control the game against Minnesota, Herbig will be at the center of the defensive architecture for Week 4.
His ability to consistently disrupt the quarterback, create negative plays, and swing momentum makes him a player to watch closely. And against Wentz, Herbig isn’t just another defender -- he’s a potential game-changer, capable of flipping the ballgame on its head.