Steelers' Derrick Harmon generating major buzz among top rookies despite early injury
When the Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Derrick Harmon in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft, the hope was that he'd step in as an immediate and impactful starter.
Through the halfway point of the 2025 season, Harmon has done just that, as he leads all rookies in pressures with 15, two of which he has turned into sacks.
Granted, Harmon is nowhere near perfect at this early stage in his career, but he has shown enough flashes as a run defender and pass-rusher to leave us excited for his future.
Harmon's solid play hasn't been lost on The Athletic's Dan Brugler, who labeled the first-year defender as the runner-up at defensive tackle on his All-Rookie Team with half of a season left to play.
Despite missing the first two weeks because of a preseason injury, Harmon has quickly established himself as a vital part of the Steelers’ defensive front. The first-rounder out of Oregon did a great job against Indianapolis in Week 9 using his long arms to move blockers against their will and constrict run lanes, which contributed to a quiet day for Jonathan Taylor.
Harmon currently leads all rookie interior defensive linemen in pressures (15), and he also has two sacks and 13 tackles.
Getting the nod over Harmon was Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Deone Walker, who is having his own impressive rookie campaign.
What makes Harmon's production more impressive is the fact that he missed the first two games of the season with a knee injury and, in the process, a ton of practice time before the start of the season.
Yet, Harmon was able to make an immediate contribution, with both of his sacks coming in the first three games he played in.
The rookie has been fairly quiet since then, but we'll chalk that up to the ups and downs many rookies experience.
With Steelers defensive lineman stalwart Cam Heyward approaching the end of his career, Harmon is the guy they're hoping will take the torch.
Right now, it looks like he's capable of taking on that immense task.
Dan Campbell Gets Honest on Lions Inactivity at NFL Trade Deadline
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell reacted to the team's inactivity just prior to the 2025 NFL trade deadline.
The Detroit Lions didn’t make any final moves before the NFL trade deadline passed at 4 pm ET Tuesday.
That was largely expected. But that doesn’t mean the Lions didn’t have opportunities to make trades.
On Wednesday, head coach Dan Campbell offered reporters a slight look behind the curtain on the team’s inactivity at the deadline.
“There were things that popped up. After I talked to you guys, there were some things here and there,” Campbell said. “There was nothing that I would say was enough to be noteworthy. It was certainly more intriguing, but it wasn’t good enough.
“So, you know, all good, we’re ready to roll.”
Instead of a trade, the Lions made two more minor moves right after Tuesday’s deadline. Detroit released tight end Kenny Yeboah and offensive lineman Justin Herron.
Both of those players were previously on the team’s injured reserve since August 10.
Dan Campbell Reacts to Lions Inactivity Before NFL Trade Deadline
Campbell didn’t offer any specifics on what deals the Lions could have done that he didn’t consider “good enough.” But the overall message Campbell delivered to reporters Wednesday was that he has more confidence in the players already on Detroit’s roster than anyone the organization could have acquired in the trade market.
“You know your own guys. You’ve been around them. You’ve seen them. You know the greatness behind them, and you know the warts too,” said Campbell.
“As long as they’re continuing to grow and get better and get better, our trust goes up in those guys. That doesn’t mean it’s going to be perfect. But yet, it gives you faith in those guys. Until further notice, they’re going to have to prove us wrong.”
Campbell really stressed how valuable it is to know a player. The head coach said he recognizes the strengths and weaknesses of everyone on his roster because he’s been around them in practice and on game days.
The Lions would be starting from scratch with any player they acquired on November 4.
That approach to the NFL trade deadline was what a lot of coaches and general managers took for years. It wasn’t until more recently the NFL trade deadline became something closer to other sports, where there’s a flurry of activity.
That’s not to say Campbell and the Lions are against the league’s more modern approach to the deadline. Campbell just strongly suggested Wednesday there wasn’t someone available worth acquiring this year.
