Forgotten option no more, Herbig stating case to be man in the middle

He took most of the snaps with the first-team offense during voluntary practices.

No fewer than four times this offseason, when confronted with the mammoth hole that existed in the middle of the offensive line, Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Omar Khan or coach Mike Tomlin mentioned Nate Herbig as a viable center candidate.

All those statements were made before the NFL Draft, before the Steelers took West Virginia’s Zach Frazier in the second round.

Two weeks into organized team activities, however, and it turns out that Khan and Tomlin weren’t providing lip service. As the voluntary practices reached the midpoint, Herbig took the bulk of the snaps at center Wednesday with the firstteam offense.

“I showed up, and that’s where they put me,” Herbig said after the fifth of 10 scheduled sessions. “I’m going to play where they put me and keep working every day to get better. That literally is the only mindset that I have.”

When the Steelers released Mason Cole, their starting center the past two seasons, early in the offseason, it left Herbig and right guard James Daniels as the only interior linemen with any NFL center experience. And, to say the least, it was limited.

Herbig has played just 49 career snaps at center and none since 2021 when he did it for 47 plays in his final season with the Philadelphia Eagles. The rest of his NFL playing time over five seasons and 60 games has come at guard, including the two games he started last season for the Steelers when Daniels was injured. He also logged 51 snaps at left guard when Isaac Seumalo exited early against Arizona.

He is flattered the Steelers’ brass had faith in his center capabilities and that his name continually was mentioned as a viable starting candidate.

“I’m very grateful,” he said. “I’m grateful they believe in me and said those things about me, but I feel like the rent is due every day. Regardless of what anybody says, the only thing that matters is how I can control the things I can control, if I’m doing better, if I’m doing the things I need to do to myself in a situation to be successful and help the team.

“That’s all I’ve been thinking. I have tunnel vision. I’m locked in, and I’m just trying to get better, I swear.”

If the Steelers take the same methodical approach to easing Frazier into the lineup that they deployed last year with first-round tackle Broderick Jones, Herbig would enter training camp and perhaps the season as the starter.

“Growing up, you always want to start in the NFL, always want to play,” he said. “But I’m not even thinking it. I’m not thinking that I’m starting anywhere. I don’t try to act that way. I don’t think that way. I’m just one drill at a time, one play at a time trying to execute it to the best of my ability. If I make a mistake, don’t make it again. I’m trying to have that mindset, and I’m sticking to that mindset.”

Herbig is entering the second year of a two-year, $8 million contract he signed in the 2023 free agency to be the top backup interior lineman. Sensing the opportunity ahead of him, he has worked to improve his physique. He is listed at 6-foot-4, 334 pounds, which, if accurate, makes him the heaviest player on the roster.

“I’m still working on it because I’m fat, but I’m working on my body HERBIG • E8

“I’m going to play where they put me and keep working every day to get better. That literally is the only mindset that I have.”

NATE HERBIG comp. I’ve cleaned up my eating,” Herbig said. “I’ve really dialed in on that. My footwork has gotten faster, and the game has slowed down for me. I’m trying to take another step in my career.”

Herbig is aware the Steelers didn’t use the No. 51 overall pick on Frazier to have him be a long-term backup. He has taken the rookie under his wing and tried to ease Frazier’s adjustment to playing in the NFL.

“He’s been helping me a lot with playing center,” Frazier said. “I’ll be asking a lot of questions about going against people here and how he approaches everything, and he’s been very helpful.”

Left tackle Dan Moore said Herbig’s athleticism is evident for a player of his size.

“I love the demeanor that Nate plays with,” he said. “He brings a physical mindset to our room.”

After starting 30 games in a five-year career, Herbig is embracing the chance to show the Steelers he can be more than a role player. Even at a position where he has limited NFL experience.

“I feel like I’m trying to take it to another level,” Herbig said about his approach to OTAs. “My dad told me if you want something you’ve never had, you’ve got to do something you’ve never done. I rededicated myself. Not saying I wasn’t (before), but it’s trying to reach for more and get the most out of everything. I’m trying to carry that mindset in everything I do.”