Mark Madden: Steelers again put loyalty over leverage. How’s that working out?

Key Points:

• The Pittsburgh Steelers recently signed edge rusher Nick Herbig to a four-year, $100 million contract extension, making him the first backup player to receive such a lucrative deal, with $42 million guaranteed.
• Herbig is part of a rotation and not a starter, playing fewer snaps than Alex Highsmith and T.J. Watt last season, yet his average annual value ($25 million) surpasses Highsmith’s $17 million, raising questions about team salary structure and player valuation.
• The Steelers are investing heavily in their defense, spending $192 million overall—the most in the NFL—despite finishing near the bottom in yards allowed and only 17th in points allowed last season, indicating poor value for the money.
• The more controversial contract is T.J. Watt’s three-year, $123 million extension, which pays him $41 million annually despite a decline in performance last season, contrasting sharply with peers like Myles Garrett, who recently left Cleveland for the Rams.
• Critics argue the Steelers prioritize loyalty over strategic leverage, maintaining an aging core and expensive contracts despite a nine-season playoff drought, and suggest the team should focus on more impactful players like cornerback Joey Porter Jr. before committing large sums elsewhere.