Steelers Rookie Overpowers Bucs’ Fifth-Year Veteran: First-Round Pick Records His First Sack

Under the blazing lights of Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh Steelers’ first-round rookie Derrick Harmon stepped out from the weight of expectations to etch his name into the NFL spotlight. Late in the first half of the Preseason Week 2 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Harmon unleashed a ferocious bull rush, bulldozing the Bucs’ left guard and sacking veteran QB Kyle Trask for his first career sack. Despite the Steelers’ narrow 17-14 loss, this moment ignited the crowd and proved Harmon’s own mantra: “Pressure makes diamonds.”

Selected as the 21st overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Harmon carried the burden of expectations to become the heir to Steelers legend Cam Heyward at nose tackle. His debut against the Jacksonville Jaguars (August 9, 2025) was lackluster, with no recorded stats despite playing 22 defensive snaps. Early criticism put Harmon under intense scrutiny heading into the Buccaneers game. But in Pittsburgh, where defense is a religion, Harmon answered with a performance to remember.

With seconds ticking down in the first half, on a critical third-and-eight, the Buccaneers were pushing to maintain momentum. Harmon lined up against Tampa Bay’s left guard (Ben Scott or Ben Bredeson, depending on the source). With a thunderous bull rush, he shoved the guard back, penetrated the backfield, and brought down Kyle Trask for an 11-yard loss. This sack wasn’t just Harmon’s first in the NFL—it was the Steelers’ first sack of the 2025 preseason, celebrated by the NFL on X with the caption: “Steelers’ first-round pick Derrick Harmon gets to the QB 😤.”

Technical Brilliance: Harmon showcased raw power and elite hand usage, what head coach Mike Tomlin called “4x hands,” overwhelming his opponent with sheer force.

Psychological Impact: The sack disrupted the Buccaneers’ offensive rhythm, energizing the Steelers’ defense and igniting the Acrisure Stadium crowd.

Personal Milestone: After a criticized debut, Harmon silenced doubters, proving the value of a first-round pick with a play that screamed potential.

A former standout at Oregon, Harmon was drafted for his ability to generate interior pressure and his ideal frame for a nose tackle. Still considered a “project” in need of polish, his sack against Trask signaled rapid growth. Coach Tomlin praised Harmon alongside fellow rookie Kaleb Johnson for their “significant step forward” from their debut, highlighting his confidence and quick learning curve.

Though the Steelers fell 17-14 to the Buccaneers, Harmon’s sack was a bright spot in a game focused on testing depth. With 3 tackles (1 sack, 1 tackle for loss) and 1 quarterback hit in 23 defensive snaps, Harmon earned the Steelers Digest Player of the Week honor. Teammate Yahya Black called the sack “well deserved,” while fans on X hailed him as “the future of the Steelers’ defense.”

Harmon still has room to grow, especially as he prepares to face tougher offenses in the regular season, starting September 7, 2025, against the New York Jets. But this first sack is proof he can shine under pressure, embodying the Steelers’ ethos of forging diamonds in the fire.