Steelers Now
PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin raved about the play of first-round pick defensive lineman Derrick Harmon during his media availability on Tuesday. Harmon missed the first two games due to a knee injury suffered in the preseason finale, but he has hit the ground running since making his debut in Week 3 against the New England Patriots.
In his first three games, Harmon has recorded four tackles (3 solos) and two sacks.
“He’s got a big, big ceiling. … His goal is to be a heck of a football player, and he’s on his way,” Austin said.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin also gave Harmon a ringing endorsement on Monday.
“We made him an opening-day starter as a rookie for a reason,” Tomlin said during his weekly press conference. “He’s a talented guy but he’s missed some time, as well, and now that we have him back and he’s rounding out into form, I’d imagine that you’re going to feel more of his impact as well.”
Harmon was inactive due to injury in Week 1, but he would have been a starter if healthy.
The run defense has significantly improved since Harmon’s debut. The defense allowed an 100-yard rusher in each of the first two games, but that hasn’t occurred in the last three outings. The Steelers held the Cleveland Browns to only 65 yards rushing in Sunday’s 23-9 win.
“Guys (are) just doing their job and executing and being in the right spots and making plays within the defense,” Harmon said.
Harmon thinks the defense finally being healthy has played a big factor in the unit dominating.
“It’s a major component of that, just to get guys back on the field, back in the rhythm,” he said.
Steelers rookie DT Derrick Harmon manhandling Joel Bitonio pic.twitter.com/WOy0uiutrA
— Mike Renner (@mikerenner_) October 14, 2025
Harmon hasn’t had a short week like this one before. He’s trying to follow in the footsteps of how the veterans in the room prepare.
“Trying to pick off, get little things about how they take care of their bodies and, really, the mental side of things,” Harmon said of preparation for Thursday night’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals. “That’s the biggest part of the short week. You’ve got to stay mentally prepared because you’re not getting a lot of physical rest, but it’s a lot of mental reps going around.”
Harmon and the defense will have a tough matchup with wily veteran Joe Flacco under center for Cincinnati.
“He’s a vet. He’s been playing this game in this league at a high level for a long time. You know he’s gonna try to get that ball out quick. We’re gonna try to get him down,” Harmon said.
Alan Saunders and Brendan Howe provided reporting from Pittsburgh.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Steelers Believe Sky’s the Limit for Star Rookie: ‘He’s Got a Big, Big Ceiling’
