The Pittsburgh Steelers entered the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft on April 24, 2025, with a glaring need for a quarterback. However, in a surprising turn of events, they opted to select Oregon defensive tackle Derrick Harmon with the No. 21 overall pick, leaving many to wonder about the team's future at the quarterback position.
Despite the availability of promising quarterbacks like Shedeur Sanders from Colorado and Jaxson Dart from Ole Miss, the Steelers passed on both in favor of bolstering their defensive line. Steelers general manager Omar Khan stated, "We were on the clock. We got the player that we wanted," indicating a clear focus on Harmon as a priority for the franchise.
Harmon, who spent his first three seasons at Michigan State before transferring to Oregon, was highly regarded for his potential. He recorded five sacks and 11 tackles for loss in his final season, leading the FBS with 34 quarterback pressures as a defensive tackle. Coach Mike Tomlin emphasized the importance of Harmon, saying, "He has Steeler DNA for us. It starts inside and upfront, and this is a guy that's capable of dominating that space versus the run and the pass, and so we're really excited about having him."
Entering the draft, the Steelers were determined not to let the ongoing saga surrounding Aaron Rodgers influence their strategy. The team is still waiting on the free agent quarterback's decision, and while they currently have only Mason Rudolph and Skyler Thompson on their roster, the choice to draft Harmon suggests they are not overly concerned about securing a quarterback just yet.
Tomlin had previously acknowledged that the draft's outcome could impact their pursuit of outside quarterbacks, including Rodgers. He remarked, "What you do in the draft oftentimes affects maybe some talent acquisition that happens after. We'll see how the acquisition goes this weekend." With Rodgers on the wrong side of 40, the Steelers must weigh the risks of relying on him as a stop-gap solution.
The decision to select Harmon has sparked debate among fans and analysts alike. Many believed that the Steelers should have prioritized a quarterback, especially given their struggles at the position. The team has not won a playoff game in eight years, and the lack of a reliable quarterback has been a significant factor in their postseason failures.
As of now, the Steelers' quarterback room is in a precarious state. They did not retain Russell Wilson or Justin Fields from last year's team and missed out on other free agent options. For the second consecutive offseason, the franchise is facing a complete overhaul at quarterback. With no second-round pick available this year—having traded it for wide receiver DK Metcalf—the Steelers may need to look towards the 2026 draft class, which is expected to be deeper in quarterback talent.
Harmon, who models his game after veteran Cameron Heyward, expressed his excitement about joining the Steelers. "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," he said. Heyward, who turns 36 next month, had advocated for the team to select Harmon during an Instagram Live session prior to the draft.
While Harmon fills a significant need on the defensive line, it does not address the most pressing concern for the Steelers, which is finding a franchise quarterback. The speculation surrounding Sanders and Dart now seems moot, as the Steelers have committed to strengthening their defense instead.
The decision to draft Harmon may reflect the team's belief that they can still pursue a quarterback through other means, but it also raises questions about their long-term strategy. Will they continue to rely on Rudolph and Thompson, or can they secure a more stable option in the near future?
As the dust settles from the draft, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how the Steelers navigate the quarterback situation. The team has a storied history of success, and the current void at quarterback is a stark contrast to their legacy.
In summary, the Pittsburgh Steelers made a bold choice by selecting Derrick Harmon with their first-round pick, prioritizing defensive strength over immediate quarterback needs. The long-term implications of this decision will unfold in the coming months as the team continues to evaluate its options at the quarterback position.
