Javon Hargrave Fully Ready For Steelers Homecoming And Renegade "I'm Excited To Play In Pittsburgh"

Former Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle, Javon Hargrave has not played for the team since the 2019 NFL season. After his rookie contract expired, he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles and played there through the 2022 season. He recently signed with the San Francisco 49ers during the 2023 offseason. The Steelers have a much anticipated Week 1 matchup against the 49ers, and it is the first home season opener during Week 1 for Pittsburgh since 2014. Hargrave recently expressed his excitement to come home and play in front of the Pittsburgh fans. 

Hargrave Excited For Homecoming In Front Of Steelers Fans

On the most recent episode of Cam Heyward's podcast, Not Just Football With Cam Heyward, Hargrave was a guest on the show ahead of the two's Week 1 matchup. They both tried to get one another to give up some inside information on their respective teams, although neither gave in, and Heyward eventually asked Hargrave how he is feeling ahead of the game. 

"God is good. I'm coming back to Pittsburgh for the first game. I don't really count the COVID year because there was no fans when we came. This is like the real coming home where I first started, get to see y'all do the Renegade, I ain't seen that in a while. I'm excited to play in Pittsburgh." 

Although this is Hargrave's second time coming back to Pittsburgh since he was on the team, it's the first real time he gets to play in front of Steelers fans as he mentions. When he was with the Eagles they came to Pittsburgh during the 2020 NFL season, which was effected by COVID, so not many Steelers fans were allowed into the stadium to watch the game. This is the first time Hargrave gets to play in front of a packed stadium in Pittsburgh on an opposing team. 

Although Hargrave has not played for the Steelers since the 2019 season, he still considers Pittsburgh to be his home. He grew up as a Steelers fan, and then wound up being drafted by them in the third-round of the 2016 NFL Draft. That was certainly a dream come true for him and it is safe to say that he has anticipated this Week 1 game a lot since inking his deal in San Francisco. 

"I came in the league there [Pittsburgh], so that is home for me." 

Hargrave had some of the best years of his career with Philadelphia after he left Pittsburgh, but he still was a dominating force for the Steelers alongside Heyward on the defensive line. Hargrave was one of the Eagles best contributors on defense in 2022, recording 12 sacks and helping them reach the Super Bowl. 

What Hargrave Misses Most About Playing For Pittsburgh

After reminiscing about their playing days together, and how Hargrave's time in Philadelphia was, along with what the free agency process was like, Heyward asked him what he misses about playing in Pittsburgh. They talked about "walking football" games they used to play with the rest of the defensive line and the linebackers that Hargrave clearly missed, and he also brought up missing Head Coach Mike Tomlin. 

"I'll say the Coach T speeches the night before the game. I was going to bed like, 'I gotta show up tomorrow, I gotta have a game.' And coaches, I've learned everybody don't give that little motivation. Not trying to throw any shade, but everybody ain't got that where they can have everybody feeling that type of way before a game."

Add Hargrave onto the list of players that have praised Tomlin's coaching style. Hargrave insinuated that he has never had another coach that can motivate a team and its players the way Tomlin can, which is a large reason the coach has never had a losing season in his career as a head coach. It's clear that Hargrave misses playing in Pittsburgh, but he will have an opportunity to do so Week 1 as the Steelers host the 49ers. 

What do you think about Hargrave's comments about missing Tomlin and playing in Pittsburgh? Let us know in the comments below!

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