When it comes to using T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, and Nick Herbig simultaneously, the new Pittsburgh Steelers coaching staff isn\u2019t just picking up where the old regime left off. Nor are they benefiting from the group being healthy, a relatively rare case in recent years.<\/p>\n
This group is expanding on it in a real way. The focus in Sunday\u2019s season opener was less on the old mode of operation, which was using these three men in obvious pass-rushing moments. Instead, it was more about making it part of Pittsburgh\u2019s base defense.<\/p>\n
Watt, Highsmith, and Herbig were on the field together for 20 snaps against the Falcons. Of those 20, 19 came in what I\u2019m calling their \u201c3-EDGE\u201d package. That\u2019s one-third of the defensive reps. The 20th came in a 1-5-5 look in a pass-rushing situation, similar to how the group was used last year.<\/p>\n
While we think of Pittsburgh using all three to rush the quarterback, the Steelers were more inclined to use them on early downs to stop the run. Of those 19 3-EDGE looks, 18 came on first or second down. Atlanta ran the ball on 12 of them.<\/p>\n
In fact, the Steelers opened the season with this look as their starting grouping. Below is this 3-EDGE grouping. Two down linemen, five total linebackers, and four defensive backs.<\/p>\n
On that snap, Herbig was aligned close to the line of scrimmage against the Falcons\u2019 12 personnel (two tight ends). Pittsburgh used it against passing-centric groupings, too. Eleven of those 19 snaps came against 11 personnel (three receivers). In those moments, Herbig would often be displaced, as he is to the bottom here.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/steelersdepot.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/3EDGE1.jpg\")
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