Welcome to the Terrible Take Committee Podcast telling Steelers Nation what's on our mind.

I'm Josh Carney.

Just like that, the outside linebacker room in Pittsburgh went from a real area of concern coming out of the

2023 NFL draft into, well, arguably the strongest position on the roster, thanks to the

performances of veteran Marcus Golden

and rookie Nick Herbig to date in the preseason. With two standouts in star

TJ Watt and emerging star Alex Highsmith entrenched as the starters at outside linebacker for the Steelers long term. The Onus was on finding competent depth pieces to hold the position down behind them, while also giving defensive coordinator Terrell Austin

a chance to rotate fresh legs in throughout games, aiming to keep Watt and Highsmith

fresh for fourth quarters and late in the season.

Pittsburgh tried names like Malik Reed, Derek Tusk,

Melvinn Ingram, even Ola, Daney and, yeah, J. Ron Elliot, remember that name? None of those guys stuck.

Now though, Golden and Herbick looked like potential starters at this point, let alone backups in Pittsburgh.

Herbeck has been by far the star of the preseason with 2.5 sacks, a force fumble, and a deep strong arsenal of past rush moves, he can throw

at offensive linemen at any time. Despite those concerns with his arm length coming out of college, Herbeck has put those to rest with his

absurd get-off and overall athleticism at the position.

Golden, on the other hand, has looked exactly as expected. A powerful, steady presence as a run defender and pass Russia.

He has three 10-plus sack seasons on his resume for a reason, and he's showing it day after day.

With Watt and High Smith the Headliners and Golden and Herbeck looking like legitimate rotational worthy depth pieces.

The Steelers are in a tremendous spot at the most important position on the defense.

That's rather comforting to know, especially after the lack of depth and talent behind Watt, Highsmith, and even Bud Dupree in recent years, that this team employed.

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