PITTSBURGH (AP) — TJ Watt enjoys being a mentor. Yes, the Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker understands that's part of the job when you're one of the best in the world at what you do. However, the perennial Pro Bowler has long been leaning towards it, especially when it comes to Nick Herbig.
The first clear sign that Watt realized Herbig had the potential to turn things around came during Herbig's rookie season two years ago.
When asked what makes the undersized Herbig stand out, Watt didn't point to his quickness or tenacity.
“He asks the right questions,” Watt said more than once.
It's time to find out if all of Herbig's “right questions” led to the right answers. When Herbig takes the cold Acresure Stadium field Monday night when the Steelers (7-6) host the Dolphins, he'll do so without Watt in attendance for the first time in his three-year career.
One of the NFL's elite pass rushers is out indefinitely after surgery to repair a partially collapsed lung after dry needling treatment failed this week. Enter Herbig and newcomer Jack Sawyer, who will both have to take on increased workloads while Watt recovers.
“I think he's prepared not only me but a group of younger guys in that sense to be able to take on that bigger role, not just as a player but as a leader, bringing that energy and just doing everything he does right,” said Herbig, whose six and a half sacks this season trail only Watt's team-leading seven.
Herbig is no Watt, but he has proven to be the latest in a long line of Pittsburgh havoc forwards that includes James Harrison, Greg Lloyd and Joey Porter Sr.
At 6-foot-1 and 240 pounds, Herbig makes up for his lack of bulk with lightning-quick reflexes and relentlessness that helped him lead the Big Ten Conference in sacks during his senior year at Wisconsin in 2022. He has demonstrated both several times this year. In addition to the sacks, he picked off a pass, forced two fumbles and recovered another for a Pittsburgh defense that relies heavily on creating turnovers to compensate for a troubling inability to make stops, especially against teams like Miami that like to run the ball.
The Dolphins have won four straight games and five of six after a 1-6 start, putting the ball in the hands of running back De'Von Achane and getting out of the way. Achane is averaging 109 yards during Miami's rush, taking some of the pressure off of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
In that sense, maybe if Sawyer had played more it would have been an advantage. The fourth-round draft pick out of Ohio State lacks Watt's pass-rushing skills, but he can create an edge against the run, something Pittsburgh has struggled to do consistently this season.
“I feel like I'm getting better every week and getting more comfortable with this level and the scheme and just trying to help this team win the best I can,” Sawyer said.
Sawyer played just three games against Baltimore last week, although that number looks set to skyrocket against the Dolphins as Pittsburgh tries to maintain a slim lead in the AFC North while looking to extend its Monday night home winning streak to 23.
This streak began before Herbig or Sawyer—or even Watt, for that matter—were born.
Sawyer is no stranger to high stakes. He played a critical role in the Buckeyes' run to a national championship last winter and is eager to show he's not intimidated by the odds or the stage.
“I've always had my best games late in the year at Ohio State,” Sawyer said, later adding, “You know, as I continue this run, I want to be that guy that they can lean on if they need me and whenever they call my number.”
The potential return of rookie defensive end Derrick Harmon could help keep Achane in check. Oregon's first-round pick is questionable after missing the last two games with a knee injury unrelated to the one he suffered near the end of training camp that cost him a pair of games in September.
The rushing numbers on the defense with and without Harmon are annoying. The Steelers are giving up nearly 100 fewer yards per game on the ground, with Harmon's No. 99 manning the inside line.
“Derrick is very thick,” said longtime Pittsburgh defensive lineman Cam Heyward. “We have guys who are doing really well and moving forward.”
The Steelers need a learning curve to start leveling off if they want to make the playoffs for a third straight season. The final stretch after Monday night includes a trip to Detroit and a visit from Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry and the Baltimore Ravens in Week 18.
Whether this game is for a playoff berth or a chance to rest will largely depend on Pittsburgh's ability to adapt without arguably its best player. While the “next man up” mentality has long been an NFL cliché, the Steelers have embraced it.
However, accepting it and achieving success are two different things. And Herbig and Sawyer and everyone else in black and gold knows it.
“Obviously, you can’t replace a guy like (Watt),” Herbig said. “Hall of Fame man, best in the league, best to ever do it. It's hard to replace a guy like that. But we're going to do everything we can to make sure we do the right thing with him.”
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