Steelers make former Badgers linebacker Nick Herbig a $100 million man

Former University of Wisconsin standout linebacker Nick Herbig netted a huge raise from the Pittsburgh Steelers, signing a four-year, $100 million contract extension. The deal, reported June 2, includes $42 million guaranteed.

The fourth-round pick (132nd overall) in 2023 was entering the final year of his rookie contract. He finished the 2025 season with an interception, three forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, 7½ sacks, 30 combined tackles and 18 quarterback hits in 15 games.

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Herbig, originally from Hawaii, was a first-team All-Big Ten choice in 2022 and a third-team All-American at UW.

The Steelers, of course, are the same franchise that employ a number of Wisconsin connections, including Pewaukee High School graduate and UW alumnus T.J. Watt, who signed a three-year extension worth $123 million last season.

According to Spotrac, Herbig and Watt are the lone current NFL players from Wisconsin on contracts of $100 million or more.

Janesville alumnus and ex-Wisconsin defensive tackle Keeanu Benton will also head into his fourth season this year, playing for new coach Mike McCarthy. Returning quarterback Aaron Rodgers and McCarthy were, of course, longtime fixtures with the Green Bay Packers. Ex-Badger Riley Nowakowski, a Marquette University High School alumnus who finished his college career at Indiana, will enter his rookie season with Pittsburgh after the team drafted him in the fifth round. Former Packers Darnell Savage and Dean Lowry are also on the roster.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Former Badger Nick Herbig cashes in with Pittsburgh Steelers