PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – It’s the award as Steelers rookie of the year, it’s called the Joe Greene Great Performance Award, and won in 2025 by Derrick Harmon. He’s the first defensive lineman to ever win the award that’s been around since 1984 and voted on by the Pittsburgh chapter of the Pro Football Writers of American.
His success became such a story that even head coach Mike Tomlin acknowledged it a few times in news conferences. It became a playful moment for the head coach, but no doubt the first-round pick’s impact was felt. The team has averaged giving up around 80 yards fewer per game on the ground this season when Harmon is on the field.
“Truly man, I ain’t paying attention to what people have been saying about all of that,” Harmon said. “Man, I’m going out there and playing ball, dog. That’s what I’ve been doing my whole life, playing football to the best of my ability and helping my team win games.”
Harmon credits Cam Heyward for being a great veteran, willing to help. He also credits his studying and knowledge of the game.
“If you believe you can kick somebody’s butt, then you can do it,” Harmon said. “It’s about mentally knowing you can beat somebody.”
The 22-year-old from the University of Oregon has also had to battle through a couple of knee injuries at the beginning and towards the end of the season limiting him to 11 games where he has two sacks, a tackle for loss, four quarterback hits, a pass defended and 26 tackles.
A list of previous winners includes several impactful players
· WR Louis Lipps
· S Carnell Lake
· TE Eric Green
· LB Chad Brown
· QB Kordell Stewart
· G Alan Faneca
· S Troy Polamalu
· QB Ben Roethlisberger
· TE Heath Miller
· WR Santonio Holmes
· C Maurkice Pouncey
· OT Marcus Gilbert
· RB Le’Veon Bell
· CB Joey Porter, Junior
· C Zach Frazier
And a few who didn’t blossom after their rookie seasons
· LB Anthony Henton
· CB Delton Hall
· RB Warren Williams
· TE Adrian Cooper
· RB Bam Morris
· WR Troy Edwards
· LB Kendrell Bell
· LB Patrick Bailey
· OT Mike Adams
· S Sean Davis
· WR Chase Claypool
· QB Kenny Pickett