Steelers Now
A former NFL general manager thinks one of the Pittsburgh Steelers second-year defenders will help keep Cam Heyward around longer.
Pittsburgh Steelers veteran defensive tackle Cameron Heyward is still playing at a very high level, but there is no arguing he is nearing the end of his career.
Luckily, former NFL general manager Doug Whaley believes Steelers second-year defensive tackle Derrick Harmon could help prolong Heyward’s career.
“I think Harmon’s going to break out,” Whaley said on Pittsburgh’s 93.7 The Fan. “He showed some flashes last year, and I think it’s going to take some pressure off of Cam Heyward, and that’s where I think Heyward‘s gonna still thrive. We’re gonna be sitting here next year like, ‘Can you believe Cam Heyward had such a year?’ And I think it’s because offenses are gonna have to shift some focus to Harmon and that will give Heyward a little extra time where he is not getting double-teamed.”
Harmon, the Steelers No. 21 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, has been tabbed a breakout candidate following a promising rookie campaign.
In just 12 games, the 6-foot-4, 313-pound Harmon recorded 27 tackles, three sacks, one fumble recovery and one pass defensed.
Harmon also missed five games with two knee injuries last season, which means he was likely never fully healthy at any point of his rookie campaign.
So, if Harmon can pick up right where he left off, the Steelers can be smarter about how they deploy 37-year-old Heyward, potentially extending his professional career.
A native of Detroit, Michigan, Harmon played college football at Michigan State (2021-23) and Oregon (2024), where he racked up 114 tackles (51 solo), 8.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and four passes defensed.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Ex-GM Details How Steelers Second-Year Defender Can Extend Cam Heyward’s Career
