The Steelers’ brother tandems are thinning out, as the Herbigs will go by way of the Watt pair on the roster. Nate Herbig is heading to Washington on a one-year deal, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler tweets.
A 30-game starter during his career, Herbig was to open last season as Pittsburgh’s starting center. But a shoulder injury ended Herbig’s season before it could begin. While this opened the door for rookie Zach Frazier, Herbig will leave for another opportunity.
Also rostering outside linebacker Nick Herbig, the Steelers employed Nate for two seasons. They used him in 17 games (two starts) in 2023, though the older of the Herbig brothers enjoyed more prominent roles elsewhere. The Eagles used Nate Herbig as a 17-game starter from 2020-21, while he started all 11 games he played for the 2022 Jets.
The Commanders are planning on moving the former UDFA into the guard mix, Fowler adds. Washington has Tyler Biadasz locked in at center and Sam Cosmi entrenched at right guard. The team signed Nick Allegretti from the Chiefs in 2024, pairing him with ex-Kansas City teammate Andrew Wylie at RT. Laremy Tunsil is taking over at left tackle after this week’s trade.
Displaced LT Brandon Coleman could loom as a swingman, while the Commanders also brought back interior swing Michael Deiter and fellow backup Trenton Scott on Thursday night. Herbig, 26, is dropped into a crowded situation.
That said, Herbig was on track to at least play in front of Frazier to open the 2024 Steelers’ season. Pittsburgh placing him on IR (with a torn rotator cuff) before setting its 53-man roster nixed that path, and Frazier is now the team’s surefire center starter after going off the 2024 draft board in Round 2. The Steelers still have the Heyward brothers, but Derek Watt‘s retirement coming as the Steelers’ two Edmundses disbanded leaves them with only the DL-TE tandem after Nate Herbig’s Friday move. Two years remain on Nick Herbig’s rookie deal.
Herbig is terrible and routinely gives up on blocks.
In other words, yes, like half the linemen here in Pittsburgh
I was amazed every time the Eagles started him.
He would stand around while whoever he was supposed to be blocking ran right past him and either pressured the quarterback or stopped the runner.
Versatile depth piece. Nasty Nate they call him