An NFL team’s work is truly never done on the roster front, even during the season. The Pittsburgh Steelers know that all too well, and general manager Omar Khan appears to be exhausting every avenue possible.
As Week 4 rolls on, Pittsburgh had an old friend in for a visit. Per the league’s daily transaction wire and personnel notice for September 23, offensive lineman Nate Herbig was in for a visit.
Steelers Host Old Friend Nate Herbig for Workout Amid OL Injuries
This is a surprise development, as Herbig announced his retirement this year. Earlier this week, however, the Washington Commanders released him from their reserve/retired list. That paved the way for him to either be free in his post-playing days or get back on the wagon and entertain his options back in the league. Preliminarily, he seems to be doing the latter in a familiar place.
Over the course of his career, Herbig has spent time with the Philadelphia Eagles, New York Jets, Steelers and Commanders. The brother of current Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig, Nate entered the league in 2019 and has 61 games of regular-season experience under his belt. Of those appearances, 30 are starts. Most of his work came in Philadelphia (33 games) and New York (11 starts in 2022).
Herbig does have plenty of background with the Steelers, though. He played in all 17 regular-season contests for them in 2023, logging a pair of starts throughout the year. In 156 snaps that season, he logged 125 reps at right guard and another 31 at left guard. He also has a bit of center experience earlier in his NFL tenure. According to Pro Football Focus, Herbig posted a 67.6 overall grade in his lone active season for the Black and Gold.
A shoulder injury ended Herbig’s 2024-25 campaign before it began. That’s how he found his way from Pittsburgh to D.C., although he never bounced back. His retirement still came as a shock, but perhaps he’s having second thoughts at the age of 27.
Assessing Pittsburgh’s Offensive Line Picture as Season Continues
Given the state of the Steelers’ offensive line, it wouldn’t hurt to bring back someone they know well. Prior to Week 3’s win over the New England Patriots, Max Scharping suffered a knee injury that’s since been deemed season-ending. There hasn’t been a real move made in response to the ailment, as Pittsburgh is considering a few different paths. One of them may be Herbig, assuming he’s healthy and looked good in the workout.
As far as interior linemen are concerned, the trio currently in the lineup consists of left guard Isaac Seumalo, center Zach Frazier and right guard Mason McCormick. The depth behind them is a bit shaky post-Scharping injury. Spencer Anderson and Ryan McCollum are the primary reserves should the need for a guard or center emerge.
On the practice squad, the Steelers have a few offensive linemen worth mentioning. At the tackle spot, Dylan Cook is a multi-year veteran from Montana but has no regular-season experience. Guard Steven Jones, a 340-pounder from Oregon, spent 2024 with the Jacksonville Jaguars’ practice squad. He’s more of a developmental prospect.
If signed, it’s always possible that Herbig takes one of those spots. If not, it’d be a fast-tracking straight to the active roster should he and Pittsburgh have mutual interest.
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