Yesterday, we explored the Pittsburgh Steelers’ three-EDGE personnel grouping and how its rise in Week One went beyond just pass-rushing moments. Pittsburgh’s blessing and curse is getting its top four outside linebackers on the field: T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, and Jack Sawyer. The team’s deepest and most talented unit, the Steelers will juggle that act throughout the year.

Digging into our charting more, here are a couple of other numbers to consider:

Defensive Snaps (57 Total)

Player
Total Defensive Snaps

Alex Highsmith
43

T.J. Watt
38

Nick Herbig
33

Jack Sawyer
20

Pass Rush Snaps (26 Total)

Player
Pass Rush Snaps

T.J. Watt
21

Alex Highsmith
19

Nick Herbig
7

Jack Sawyer
5

Third Down Snaps (12 Total)

Player
Third Down Snaps

T.J. Watt
12

Alex Highsmith
10

Nick Herbig
4

Jack Sawyer
0

Remember, these are intentionally charted acts by outside linebackers coach C.J. Ah You. The team no longer goes off “vibes” of starters bowing out on their own accord.

It’s no surprise to see Watt and Highsmith dominate both lists. Herbig, despite Pittsburgh using its three-outside linebacker package plenty, had limited opportunities in key moments. He finished just ahead of Jack Sawyer in pass rush snaps and lagged far behind Watt and Highsmith on third-down reps. It’s likely no coincidence Watt and Highsmith hardly left the field in those big-time moments.

It provides data to Vince Williams’ point that Herbig didn’t get enough chances to get after the quarterback. Though Pittsburgh made sure to get him on the field, he was often aligned off-ball like an inside linebacker or as an overhang player out in space. He’s even still on the punt coverage team.

For being the team’s newest $100 million man, the Steelers can’t lose sight of what he does best. Rush the quarterback.

One game is a small sample and hardly speaks to how the next 16 regular-season games will go. Pittsburgh blitzed just once against Atlanta. That won’t happen every week. Nor will facing such a run-heavy approach like the Falcons deployed, leaning on Bijan Robinson to mitigate starting third-string quarterback Cooper Rush.

Future game plans with more aggression and different circumstances could see Herbig get those chances. Pittsburgh may be even more mindful of reps and snap count the longer the team moves into its season, especially for its short-week games (Thursday night in Week Four, Black Friday in Week 12, and any late-season Saturday games).