Nick Herbig, a fourth-round pick in 2023, has quietly emerged as a key pass rusher for the Pittsburgh Steelers, registering 16 sacks over three seasons despite limited starts. Now entering the final year of his contract, Herbig is expected to seek increased playing time and a better salary, which could prompt the Steelers to consider trading him. ESPN’s Bill Barnwell recently proposed a potential swap, suggesting the Steelers trade Herbig to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for backup quarterback Tanner McKee, a sixth-round pick from 2023.
Barnwell highlighted the idea in a recent NFL Daily podcast, noting,
“You get a cost control player for another year who had phenomenal pass rushing numbers and we get our quarterback of the future,”
adding,
“Does that not seem like a scratch my back, I scratch yours situation?”
Comparing the Players’ Values and Impact
Despite the appeal of obtaining a young quarterback, the trade’s value appears uneven. Herbig’s proven ability as a pass rusher contrasts with McKee’s limited experience, having appeared in only six games with two starts. McKee’s statistical output includes 597 passing yards, five touchdowns, and just one interception, but such a small sample size does not establish him as a reliable franchise quarterback candidate.
Furthermore, McKee’s performance benefited from strong supporting players like Saquon Barkley, A.J. Brown, and DeVonta Smith, alongside one of the NFL’s top offensive lines. The Steelers lack a comparable talent pool, which raises doubts about how McKee would fare if acquired.
Positional Needs Versus Practical Realities
Barnwell acknowledges this imbalance but argues that positional scarcity may justify the exchange, saying,
“It’s not about the savings as much as it is getting pieces that you need that you don’t have access to. That’s why I feel like McKee would make sense as a potential Herbig trade alternative… He’s a quarterback and you need those.”
Despite this reasoning, it remains unclear why McKee would be the Steelers’ best option at quarterback, especially when Will Howard is already on the roster and could provide a similar developmental path. McKee has yet to demonstrate the qualities necessary to lead an NFL team.
Why the Proposed Trade Seems Unfavorable for Pittsburgh
Herbig represents a promising young edge rusher with a proven impact, a valuable asset the Steelers would be wise to retain unless they receive more than just a backup quarterback in return. Trading him solely for McKee, without additional draft compensation, would leave Pittsburgh sacrificing a strong defensive player for an uncertain quarterback prospect. Barnwell’s suggestion overlooks this imbalance, offering little justification for the Steelers to pursue such a deal.
