Steelers Sign 1st-Round Pick Derrick Harmon to Rookie Deal

The Pittsburgh Steelers have officially signed defensive lineman Derrick Harmon to his rookie contract. The deal is for four years and just under 18 million dollars, fully guaranteed, with a signing bonus close to 10 million. Harmon was picked twenty-first overall in the 2025 NFL Draft and is expected to contribute right away. With the contract taken care of before training camp, Harmon can now shift his focus to football. For both the team and the player, it feels like an important piece falling into place.

A College Career Built on Growth

Harmon did not start out as a household name. He began his college career at Michigan State, where he spent three years building himself into a solid defensive lineman. He kept improving, little by little, each season. Then came the transfer to Oregon, and that was where everything really came together.

At Oregon, Harmon started every game during the 2024 season. He finished with forty-five tackles, eleven of those for loss, five sacks, and two forced fumbles. He played with consistency and discipline, rarely making mistakes and always finding ways to make an impact. His play did not just show up on the stat sheet. It showed up in how offenses had to account for him.

Scouts liked the way he held his ground in the run game. He is strong, with a wide frame, but he moves well for his size. He was not the most hyped player in the draft, but he earned his spot in the first round through effort, improvement, and production. That kind of path matters to teams like the Steelers, who value work ethic as much as raw talent.

Joining a Defense with a Clear Identity

The Steelers are known for their defense. It is part of the team’s identity and has been for decades. With Cam Heyward getting older, the team needed to start preparing for the future on the defensive line. That is where Harmon comes in.

He is not expected to take over right away, but he will be part of the rotation early. He is big enough and strong enough to hold up in the middle, and he can play in multiple spots along the line depending on what the Steelers need. He fits their style: physical, focused, and reliable.

Harmon will have the chance to learn from veterans like Heyward while getting real reps in practice and games. That is a good situation for a young player trying to find his footing in the NFL. The Steelers tend to develop players with patience, but they are not afraid to put rookies on the field if they are ready.

A Smart Move with Long-Term Upside

Getting  Harmon signed before training camp gives the Steelers one less thing to worry about. It also gives Harmon a clean slate to focus on football. His contract reflects his value as a first-round pick, but it is the next few months that will really define how his rookie year goes.

He has the tools. He has the work ethic. And now, he has the opportunity. The Steelers believe they added a player who can help their defense stay strong for years to come. Harmon will not be asked to do everything right away, but he has every chance to grow into a key piece of the team’s future.