Nick Herbig’s Role Remains Limited Amid Shrinking Snap Share
Once is by chance. Twice is a pattern. Mike Tomlin attempted to explain Nick Herbig’s low snap count last week by pointing to game circumstances and told everybody to “keep watching.” But his snap total went down Sunday night in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 35-25 loss to the Green Bay Packers. So what gives?
This isn’t about rotation preference anymore — this is about a talented young player not being rewarded for production on a reeling defense that badly needs it.
After playing 29 snaps (38.2 percent) a week ago, Herbig played 24 snaps (37.5 percent) against the Packers.
When Tomlin explained why Herbig didn’t play many snaps last week, he pointed to the Steelers’ failure to stop the run. They were also playing a lot of sub-package football with extra defensive backs on the field, and that made it difficult to get Herbig in the mix. That excuse evaporated on Sunday, yet Herbig still sat for much of the game.
If there is one thing the Steelers did well on defense against the Packers, it was stop the run. They ended the game with 94 rushing yards, but that was on 26 carries, and a solid chunk of those yards came after the game was already in hand in the fourth quarter. The Steelers stuffed the run just fine, yet they still didn’t find ample opportunity to get Herbig on the field. In fact, his role shrank.
On Pro Football Focus’s initial review of the game, the outlet credited T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith for four combined pressures on 106 combined snaps. Herbig needed just 24 snaps to get two pressures.
Herbig also forced the only fumble of the game for the Steelers. Even if it rolled out of bounds before Pittsburgh could recover, he flashed his typical playmaking ways.
Defensive coordinator Teryl Austin said it as plain as could be on Oct. 1. “We will not limit Nick Herbig.” Since then, he’s played his lowest snap totals of the season.
The NFL is supposed to be a meritocracy, where the best players get the playing time regardless of their pay scale. I get that the Steelers have a ton of money tied up in Watt and Highsmith, but it’s unacceptable to continue leaving Herbig off the field.
How many times does a player need to force fumbles and make sacks before his role increases?
Aaron Rodgers Turns Down $1 Million and a Lamborghini – and the Reason Behind That Decision Might Just Make Him an Immortal Pride of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Amid a turbulent season where the Pittsburgh Steelers are still searching for their rhythm, Aaron Rodgers — the face of loyalty and resilience — delivered a moment that reminded the world what true greatness looks like.
Aaron Rodgers on new coaches, offseason training | Steelers Minicamp 2025
According to reports from ESPN and Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Steelers officially offered Rodgers a three-year, $45 million contract extension, along with a $1 million cash bonus and a Lamborghini Huracán STO as a symbol of gratitude for his years of service and leadership.
But instead of accepting the lavish reward, Rodgers shocked everyone in the room.
In a private meeting with head coach Mike Tomlin and executive vice president Omar Khan, Rodgers paused, smiled faintly, and said something no one expected:
“I don’t need a car or a check to remind me of who I am. I play for this city, for the people who fill that stadium every Sunday. If I’m being rewarded for loyalty, then let that loyalty mean something.”
At his request, $5 million from the total value of the contract will go directly to the Pittsburgh Youth Dream Project, a fund that supports scholarships and youth athletic development across Pennsylvania. Meanwhile, the Lamborghini will be auctioned, with proceeds benefiting the Steelers Community Foundation.
The gesture instantly went viral, racking up over 3 million views in just 24 hours. Steelers fans flooded social media with messages like “This is what being a Steeler truly means” and “He’s not just a player — he’s family.”
Even T.J. Watt reposted the video with the caption: “You can’t teach heart — Rodgers has it.”
Head coach Mike Tomlin was visibly emotional when asked about the moment:
“I’ve seen a lot of talented players, but very few men like Rodgers. He’s not chasing headlines — he’s building a legacy. That kind of love for a city... you can’t coach that. You just feel it.”
When reporters later pressed Rodgers on why he turned down the gifts, he replied with quiet conviction:
“I came from nothing. Where I’m from, having a ball to play with was already a blessing. If I can give a kid that same chance — a reason to dream — then that’s all I need. That’s what Pittsburgh gave me.”
The NFL released a statement soon after, calling Rodgers’ decision “a timeless act of humility, loyalty, and heart — the kind of moment that reminds us why football still matters.”
For Rodgers, the $45 million contract isn’t about wealth — it’s about giving back to the city that made him who he is. And with that decision, he didn’t just secure his future with the Steelers — he cemented his place as an immortal pride of the Steelers.
