The Pittsburgh Steelers had a clear goal after the 2024 season ended. The team needed to get bigger and more physical. That was true for both sides of the football, but it was especially true for the defense as the group got absolutely ran through at the end of the 2024 season. The unit was embarrassed in the postseason as the Baltimore Ravens almost ran for 300 yards while eliminating the Steelers, and the organization knew that something needed to change. That is a big reason that the franchise spent its top pick in the 2025 NFL Draft on defensive tackle Derrick Harmon.
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Steelers defensive lineman Derrick Harmon (99) during 2025 training camp in Latrobe, PA.
The Steelers drafted Harmon with the 21st overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, and the pick was considered questionable at the time as a large portion of the fan base wanted the team to pursue the quarterback position. That didn't happen, and Pittsburgh felt it was necessary to bring Harmon into the fold to inject some size and youth into the defensive front. The young rookie had a promising training camp and preseason, and the coaches have had nothing but good things to say about him. Defensive Coordinator Teryl Austin spoke to the media on Tuesday, and he shared that the rookie has a big ceiling.
Steelers first-round pick Derrick Harmon has a "big, big ceiling," according to defensive coordinator Teryl Austin. "He's serious about his work. And he doesn't mess around." Austin praised Harmon's work against the run, football IQ and mindset that he wants to be great.
— Brian Batko (@BrianBatko) October 14, 2025
This has been the common take on Harmon. He is expected to be a great player, and he has already shown some flashes of being great against both the run and the pass. The rookie has already recorded two sacks on the year, and he has also been a force when it comes to getting his hands up in the passing lanes.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers defensive lineman Derrick Harmon (99) during 2025 training camp in Latrobe, PA.
The Pittsburgh fan base saw its life flash before its eyes when Harmon went down in the Steelers' final preseason game of the year. Many feared the injury was serious, but thankfully it was just a sprain. Harmon missed the first two games of the regular season before making his NFL debut against the New England Patriots in Week 3. He recorded a sack in his first game, and he also got to the quarterback in Pittsburgh's most recent contest against the Cleveland Browns.
Harmon has played in just three games and he has made game-changing plays in each of them. Outside of his sacks, he also tipped a ball at the line of scrimmage against the Minnesota Vikings in Dublin, Ireland, and that ball wound up being intercepted due to him getting his hand on it. The rookie's impact has been huge, and he should continue to improve as the year goes on.
Steelers' Defense Can Excel With Derrick Harmon On The Field
With Harmon missing the first two games of the season, the defense struggled a bit. There were other injuries to take into consideration and the fact that the secondary was still getting familiar with one another. However, the defense continued to get run all over. Through Pittsburgh's first two games of the 2025 season, the defense was giving up an average of 149.5 rushing yards per game. In the three games that Harmon has been on the field, the defense has given up just 84 rushing yards per game. That is a huge difference, and hopefully it is a trend that continues as the season moves along.
Karl Roster / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Derrick Harmon goes after New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye in Week 3.
Pittsburgh's defense will turn its attention to the Cincinnati Bengals for Week 7 as the two division rivals will be matching up on Thursday Night Football. Harmon will look to make an impact and search for his third sack of the 2025 season.
What do you think about Austin's remarks on Harmon? Let us know in the comments below!
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