Steelers Now
PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers’ run defense was much better when Derrick Harmon was on the field.
As a newcomer, there was a certain aspect of being a professional that stood out to the 2025 first-round draft pick and massive defensive tackle.
“Just the little details of things, man,” Harmon said after a minicamp practice last week at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. “This league, you’ve gotta really be on your details and Ps and Qs. Everybody’s a good athlete in this league.”
The Steelers onboarded an almost entirely new coaching staff this offseason. Along with maintaining his body, Harmon is focusing on “just trying to keep my head down and get into this playbook,” he said.
The Steelers’ new defensive line coach, Domata Peko, believes Harmon is an effective run stuffer because of how he uses his hands. Harmon finished last season with three sacks and 27 combined tackles, along with a fumble recovery.
“Big Harm is a specimen, man,” Peko said during OTAs last month. “It’s pretty crazy getting him out there on the field and just seeing him move around. He’s a big dude, but he moves around like a linebacker. He’s really athletic, and (I’m) excited for him, as well.”
Harmon is “just scratching the surface” of his abilities as a pass rusher, Peko added. Harmon has been working with defensive assistant Shawn Howe to sharpen his approaches to getting after the quarterback.
“All the tools that he has, man, it’s a blessing for a coach,” Peko said.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Derrick Harmon Pinpoints Formula for Second-Year Steelers Surge
