The Pittsburgh Steelers fooled many of us with their first-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft. The quarterback rumors had been running rampant for weeks, and every one of them aside from Cam Ward was available when the team was picking at 21.
Despite the need at QB, the Steelers chose to address the defense with a potential long-term Cam Heyward replacement.
Oregon's Derrick Harmon was a very popular choice for Pittsburgh in mock drafts leading up to the week of the draft, and he ended up as the pick, even with all the QB noise. Now that he is a Steeler, fans should be excited (and somber) about his first comments since being selected.
Derrick Harmon shared inspiring and wise thoughts after becoming Pittsburgh Steelers' first-round pick
Following becoming the Steelers first-round selection, Derrick Harmon shared both his thoughts on joining the team and some sad but inspiring insight into his personal life.
His first comments centered around his mother, who is sadly dealing with major health issues and is on life support, according to ESPN's Brooke Pryor.
New Steeler Derrick Harmon said getting picked by the Steelers was “bittersweet” because his mom couldn’t be there with him.
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) April 25, 2025
She’s in the hospital on life support, and he told us he’s going there right now to tell her that “her son got drafted.”
Harmon showed plenty of vulnerability and maturity for such a young person, and it will serve him well now that he has made the jump to the NFL. The Steelers desperately need more leadership that could be a part of the team long term, and the talented defender seems to fit that mold.
Harmon also discussed his admiration for Cam Heyward with Pryor:
"That was my first thought process when I got the call was I'm going to be able to pick Cam's brain, be under his wing. That could be my vet now, and I can really learn from him."
If there is anyone who a young defensive lineman should be emulating, it's Heyward. Not only has he lasted for over a decade in the NFL, he has turned himself into a likely Hall of Fame candidate after a slow start to his career.
Harmon is saying all the right things early on, and Steelers fans should be thrilled that he will get to develop next to the rest of their talented defensive line.