Nate Herbig Bio
Nathaniel William Herbig is an American former professional football guard who played six seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Stanford Cardinal and signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2019. Herbig also played for the New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers before finishing his career with the Washington Commanders.
Standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and listed around 334 pounds, Herbig carved out a career as a reliable interior offensive lineman after beginning his NFL journey without a draft selection. Across his six professional seasons, he appeared in 61 games and made 30 starts, building a reputation for steady play at guard.
Early Life and Background
Nathaniel William Herbig was born on July 10, 1998, in Lihue, Hawaii. He grew up in Kalaheo on the island of Kauai before relocating to Oahu after his freshman year of high school in order to attend Saint Louis School in Honolulu. The move allowed him to compete at a higher level and laid the foundation for his future in football.
Herbig was named first-team All-State as a senior at Saint Louis School, establishing himself as one of the top offensive line prospects in Hawaii. He originally committed to Stanford after his junior year, briefly reopened his recruitment, and ultimately reaffirmed his commitment to the Cardinal after considering offers from California and Washington.
His father, Bruce Herbig, played football and basketball at Lewis & Clark College, and his grandfather played football at Wheaton College in Illinois, giving the family a clear athletic lineage. Herbig is of partial Japanese, Okinawan, and Native Hawaiian descent.
Path to Professional Football
Herbig played three seasons for the Stanford Cardinal, where he developed into one of the top interior offensive linemen in the Pac-12 Conference. As a freshman, he appeared in all 13 games with six starts at left guard and was recognized as a freshman All-American by ESPN, signaling his rapid development at the college level.
He moved to right guard as a sophomore, starting 13 games and earning first-team All-Pac-12 honors in 2017. The following season, he was named second-team All-Pac-12 as a junior, making six starts at right guard and one at right tackle before a six-game absence due to injury cut into his campaign.
Following his junior season, Herbig announced that he would forgo his final year of college eligibility and declare for the 2019 NFL draft. Although he had been projected as a potential mid-round pick, his stock slipped after a slow 40-yard dash time at the NFL Scouting Combine, and he went unselected in the 2019 NFL draft.
Nate Herbig Career
Early Career with the Philadelphia Eagles (2019–2021)
Herbig signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent on April 28, 2019, beginning his professional career in the city where he had starred at Stanford. He made his NFL debut on December 15, 2019, against the Washington Redskins and appeared in two games during his rookie season, learning the professional game behind veteran linemen.
In 2020, Herbig earned his first career start on September 13 against the Washington Football Team and went on to appear in 15 games with 12 starts, cementing a role in the Eagles’ offensive line rotation. The following season, after injuries hit both starting guard spots, he started five games and appeared in five more, playing in 16 total games. Philadelphia placed a restricted free agent tender on him in March 2022 before waiving him on May 4, 2022.
New York Jets Stint (2022)
On May 5, 2022, Herbig was claimed off waivers by the New York Jets, giving him a fresh start in the AFC East. He played in and started 11 games for the Jets during the 2022 season, providing experienced depth and steady play at guard as the team worked to stabilize its offensive line.
Herbig’s season came to an early end when he was placed on injured reserve on January 7, 2023, closing out his lone year in New York. Despite the abbreviated finish, his reliability helped him land a longer-term opportunity the following spring.
Pittsburgh Steelers Era (2023–2024)
On March 16, 2023, Herbig signed a two-year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers, joining a physical, run-oriented offense that valued his size and experience. The move was made even more meaningful when Pittsburgh drafted his younger brother, Nick Herbig, in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL draft, briefly making the two teammates at the professional level.
Herbig’s 2024 season was cut short on August 18, 2024, when it was announced that he had suffered a torn rotator cuff, ruling him out for the year. The injury brought an early end to his Steelers tenure and set the stage for his final NFL stop.
Washington Commanders and Retirement (2025)
On March 20, 2025, Herbig signed with the Washington Commanders on a one-year contract, linking up with the franchise for what would become his final NFL season. He reunited with a team looking to add veteran depth along the interior of its offensive line.
On July 29, 2025, Herbig announced his retirement from professional football, closing out a six-year NFL career that included stops in Philadelphia, New York, Pittsburgh, and Washington.
Driving Style and Strengths
Herbig was valued for his size, length, and toughness at the point of attack, traits that fit naturally in power running schemes. He was dependable in pass protection and showed positional flexibility, having played both left and right guard and even a start at right tackle during his time at Stanford, which helped him adapt to different offensive systems across his NFL stops.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining early moments of Herbig’s career came at the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine, where his 5.41-second 40-yard dash was the slowest of all 260 participants, a result that contributed to him going undrafted. He then made his NFL debut in December 2019, earned his first start in September 2020, and was part of an Eagles team that reached the playoffs during his tenure in Philadelphia.
Nate Herbig Career Wins
Across his six NFL seasons, Herbig appeared in 61 games and started 30, contributing to offenses in Philadelphia, New York, Pittsburgh, and Washington. While individual game statistics for an offensive lineman are limited, his longevity and steady role reflect a career built on dependability and team success.
Other Wins & Performances
At the college level, Herbig earned first-team All-Pac-12 honors in 2017 and second-team All-Pac-12 recognition in 2018, in addition to being named a freshman All-American by ESPN during his first year at Stanford. He was also named first-team All-State as a senior at Saint Louis School in Honolulu, capping a decorated pre-college career.
Nate Herbig Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Herbig comes from an athletic family with deep football roots. His father, Bruce Herbig, played football and basketball at Lewis & Clark College, while his grandfather played football at Wheaton College in Illinois, giving Nathaniel a clear athletic lineage that helped shape his path in the sport.
His younger brother, Nick Herbig, played linebacker at Wisconsin before being drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL draft, where the two briefly shared a roster. Herbig is of partial Japanese, Okinawan, and Native Hawaiian descent, reflecting the multicultural heritage of his upbringing in Hawaii.
Personal Life
Herbig grew up in Kalaheo, Hawaii, before moving to Honolulu to attend Saint Louis School, an experience that helped launch his football career. He is the son of Bruce Herbig and the older brother of NFL linebacker Nick Herbig, with whom he has shared a professional roster in Pittsburgh.
2025 Season Performance
Herbig signed with the Washington Commanders on March 20, 2025, on a one-year contract, joining a team in transition along the offensive line. The signing was viewed as a low-risk depth move, giving Washington an experienced guard with 61 career games of NFL experience heading into the new season.
His 2025 campaign, however, never reached the field. On July 29, 2025, Herbig announced his retirement from professional football, bringing his six-year NFL career to a close before the regular season began. The decision marked the end of a journey that began in Lihue, Hawaii, and carried him through Stanford, Philadelphia, New York, Pittsburgh, and finally Washington.