Without playing a game for the Washington Commanders, offensive lineman Nate Herbig has retired from the NFL at the young age of 27. 

Herbig only signed with the NFC powerhouse this offseason and was expected to be among the influential players helping protect prized quarterback Jayden Daniels. 

Now, Herbig steps away from professional football only six years removed from finishing his college career at Stanford. No exact reason was given for Herbig’s decision to retire. 

The move was announced by Commanders head coach Dan Quinn on Tuesday, as the 6-foot-4. 334-pound behemoth was officially moved to the Reserve/Retired list. 

The Commanders have plenty of options in the trenches but it will always be tough to replace the experience that comes with Herbig. 

Herbig last played in the NFL in 2023 after he tore his rotator cuff during the 2024 preseason as part of the Pittsburgh Steelers. 

Washington Commanders lineman Nate Herbig has retired from the NFL at the young age of 27

Herbig steps away from football only six years removed from finishing his college career

Herbig’s only full healthy season with Pittsburgh was in 2023, where he appeared in all 17 games, not committing a penalty. 

In 2022, Herbig played for the New York Jets, playing in 11 games as a guard. From 2019 to 2021, he played for the Philadelphia Eagles, suiting up for the Commanders’ division rival for 33 games. 

The behemoth was undrafted in 2019 and made the Eagles roster as a free agent, staying in the league consistently sine. 

Nick Herbig, Nate’s younger brother, plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers, with the siblings being teammates for two seasons. 

Nate was signed to the team a month before Nick was drafted in the fourth round in 2023.