Steelers Rookie Derrick Harmon Sends Message To Pittsburgh After First Home Game

When the most electric atmospheres in professional football are mentioned, the Pittsburgh Steelers are usually at the top of the list. From the blaring of "Renegade" in the fourth quarter to Steelers fans packing out an opposing team's stadium, there's nothing quite like the energy that Steeler Nation provides. Every game feels huge, and preseason contests feel like regular season games at other venues. Rookie defensive tackle Derrick Harmon got a taste of that atmosphere on Saturday night in the team's second 2025 preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and it was a moment he won't soon forget. 

Harmon was asked in his post-game press conference about the home atmosphere, and he had some strong words to say about it and how it related to his college playing days.

"It was beautiful, man. It was real beautiful," Harmon said. "It kind of took me back to Oregon a little bit with how loud they [were] out there. So it was beautiful to have all the fans be home."

Comparing preseason noise to an Oregon regular season game is a tall task, but if it were true for any fan base, it would be the Steelers. The team even played the signature "Renegade" to begin the fourth quarter, something usually reserved for regular season games. 

Steelers Rookie Derrick Harmon Shows Massive Improvement In Second NFL Game

If what Harmon said about the home atmosphere is true, it certainly showed on the field. The rookie defensive tackle showed massive improvement in his second start, after some concern mounted following the team's first preseason game. While he was relatively quiet against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Harmon didn't take long to notch his first career sack on Saturday, which was preceded by a run stuff on the play before. 

It's no secret that Pittsburgh has built its identity in the trenches, specifically on the defensive side of the ball. With that being the case, there shouldn't be any doubt that there was certainly some pressure on Harmon as a first-round pick coming out of Oregon. 

The pressure was emphasized when the team named him as a starter before training camp even began, which isn't something that Pittsburgh usually does. Harmon admitted in his press conference that he felt the weight of all of it, while acknowledging that he thrives on the challenge.

"Yeah, most definitely there is [pressure]," Harmon said. "Being a first-rounder, being an automatic starter as a rookie. But I feel like pressure makes diamonds, so that's how I look at it."

Harmon wasn't the only rookie who got his feet under himself on Saturday. Running back Kaleb Johnson also showed some significant improvement, rushing for 50 yards on 11 carries, doubling his yards per carry from Week 1. Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin was impressed by both guys, giving Harmon and Johnson a shoutout in his post-game press conference.

"Harmon and Kaleb Johnson really took a step forward off of their first performance, but again, that's a reasonable thing to expect. Second time stepping into a stadium, you see more of their talents."

Looking ahead, Steelers fans will hope that Harmon's performance on Saturday was a glimpse of what's to come. It's easy to see where Harmon could fit in as a cornerstone piece on the defensive line for years to come, cementing his name alongside players like Cam Heyward. Hopefully he can continue to feed off the energy that Steeler Nation provides and turn it into a hallmark for the rest of his career.

What did you think of Harmon's second preseason game? Let us know in the comments below!

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