U mad, bro?: Fans snarling about Nick Herbig’s extension, T.J. Watt’s contract, media spat over Carmen Mlodzinski

The Steelers gave a backup linebacker $100 million. A fringe starter for the Pirates pulled a wildcat work action. The Pittsburgh baseball media is grousing about how the team handled that situation.

Dracula has been traded out of the AFC North. Now, Steelers fans want their own former All-Pro to get traded out of Pittsburgh.

It’s been a busy week for early June. And our readers are all hot and bothered.

Here’s “U mad, bro” for the week.

David is a frequent critic. He let his opinion be known after reading my column about how the Steelers need to deploy their outside linebackers in the wake of Nick Herbig’s $100 million extension.

It’s my belief that the franchise must trade an OLB or play all three at once more frequently.

Fanboy protection mode for the team, as always.

By the way, Davey, the team just paid a backup player $42 million guaranteed. Alex Highsmith is scheduled to receive $41 million over the next two years. T.J. Watt has $64 million in guaranteed salary remaining on his contract over 2026 and 2027.

That’s $147 million for three outside linebackers. I don’t think I’m the one who is guilty of “xtreme thinking” here.

“RG Walker” emails quite often as well. He had some thoughts on my column about the media dust-up in Pittsburgh in the wake of the Carmen Mlodzinski situation.

“No pity party here for the media. I don’t follow sports because of the media, nor because of anything front offices tell the public. I follow sports for what goes on between the lines, that is, on the field. Anyone with half a brain doesn’t really pay any attention to either source. In this case, the only media information that I found at all helpful, outside of the stark opening announcement of ‘he’s on the restricted list,’ was from one or two sources who actually researched what the ramifications are for someone on the list: i.e., the definition (unable to perform) and the consequences (no salary, unless the club chooses to pay it). Look, you have an enviable job — be grateful.”

For a guy who “doesn’t follow sports because of the media,” you sure do email me a lot.

That’s especially ironic for a guy who also said: “Anyone with half a brain doesn’t really pay any attention to either source.”

But you do have one part right. Yeah, I do have an enjoyable job. That’s why I’d like every chance to do it the right way.

That’s all I want. Not a pity party. Certainly not from you.

Kevin contacted me about that column on Wednesday afternoon.

Seems like we have had too much conversation on this already

— Kevin (@hkev66) June 3, 2026

Yes. You’re right. By Wednesday afternoon, that was true.

But that column was written Monday night and posted Tuesday morning after the media exchange was just a few hours old.

So, good call, Kev. You got me.

Here’s someone who is tired of seeing the Steelers give in to players who “hold in” prior to the final year of their contracts.

Steelers caved to watt. Then, caved to cam. Now, steelers caved to herbig. Who’s next? Will steely mcbeam “hold in” now?

— RB7501 (@RB75012) June 3, 2026

You forgot about Diontae Johnson. And look at how great that turned out!

“JTown50” was unhappy with Herbig’s plan to “hold in” prior to signing the contract.

Someone remind Herbig that he is a back-up.

— G. Alan (@JTown50) June 2, 2026

Maybe he’ll be reminded when they play him only 25%-38% of the time, as was the case during the last two games of the season against Baltimore and Houston.

We end with someone who disagrees with people saying the Steelers should trade T.J. Watt because Cleveland dealt Myles Garrett.

“Let’s do what Cleveland did” is a bold strategy.

— CharDeeMacDennis (@CharDeeMacDen12) June 2, 2026

Trading Garrett in 2026 would’ve been akin to trading Watt before the 2023 season.

But in spirit, yes. I agree with this worthy level of Browns sarcasm.

Listen: Tim Benz and Chris Adamski talk about all the news surrounding Steelers OLBs in this week’s offseason podcast