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Steelers Rookie Moved by Fans’ Passion Despite Preseason Loss

Fans during a preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers)

PITTSBURGH (CafeX) — Final score read 17-14 for the Buccaneers, but for first-round rookie Derrick Harmon, it wasn’t the loss that lingered — it was the roar.

From the first snap to the final whistle, Steelers Nation brought the noise, treating an August afternoon like playoff weather. Harmon — just weeks into wearing black and gold — admitted afterward that only one thing stayed with him longer than the sting of defeat: the fans.

“you could feel them,” Harmon said quietly in the locker room, tone tinged with awe. “even in preseason, even when we were behind, they stayed loud. that energy… it hits different.”

Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Derrick Harmon (99) during a preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Though Harmon’s stat line was still unwritten, his presence was felt. Cam Heyward, seeing the rookie’s emotion, offered a knowing nod: “that’s pittsburgh — they will love you when you earn it, even when you’re learning. derrick already knows what that means.”

Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Derrick Harmon (99) during a preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)

For Derrick Harmon, the scoreboard will fade — but the sound of those cheers won’t. In Pittsburgh, even preseason is a stage, and sometimes, the noise of the stands becomes the real highlight.

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Steelers Linked To Saints SuperStar With 5x Pro Bowl & 2x All-Pro in Blockbuster Trade
Pittsburgh, PA — According to a  circulating on X (Twitter), the Pittsburgh Steelers have been “linked” to Alvin Kamara—the New Orleans Saints superstar, five-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro—as a potential target ahead of the trade deadline. The speculation has heated up as various outlets have also floated Kamara as a logical “fit” should the Steelers look to add a versatile, late-season playmaker on offense. At 30, Kamara is a rare dual-threat RB who excels as both a runner and receiver. He tied the NFL single-game record with six rushing touchdowns (Christmas Day 2020 vs. the Vikings), and he has recently been recognized as the Saints’ all-time leader in rushing yards. Across his career: 5× Pro Bowl, 2× Second-Team All-Pro, and a skill set that meshes with Pittsburgh’s motion/spacing concepts—screens, angle/choice routes, safe check-downs, and short play-action. Tactically, if a move ever materialized, Kamara would immediately put stress on short-to-intermediate coverages, force defenses to roll a safety, and give Pittsburgh intriguing two-back looks alongside Najee Harris on 3rd-and-medium and in the red zone. In this hypothetical scenario, Kamara voices a desire for a fresh challenge after hitting so many personal milestones in New Orleans: “I’ve achieved just about everything with the Saints, and I want a new challenge for myself. What could be better than a team competing directly for a Super Bowl? Just thinking about wearing Black and Gold really excites me.” As of now, there has been no official confirmation from the Steelers or the Saints regarding any talks. Still, Kamara’s résumé and toolbox explain why his name is quickly paired with Pittsburgh whenever rumors of an offensive upgrade surface. With 5× Pro Bowls, 2× All-Pro honors, and a proven knack for tilting games as both a runner and receiver, even a whisper on social media is enough to make Steelers Nation perk up.