Rookie defensive lineman Derrick Harmon and linebacker Patrick Queen have been recognized by the Pittsburgh Chapter of the Pro Football Writers of America with team awards. Harmon received the Joe Greene Great Performance Award, which is given each year to the Steelers’ top rookie. Queen was named the recipient of ‘The Chief’ Award, honoring his cooperation with the media.
“It’s a privilege to receive this award,” said Harmon. “To have your name next to Mr. Greene’s, a guy like that, that’s a privilege. So, I’m very excited and grateful.”
Harmon is notable as the first defensive lineman to win the Joe Greene Great Performance Award, which is named after Hall of Famer Joe Greene. The Pittsburgh Steelers have honored figures such as Terry Bradshaw and Joe Greene in their Hall of Honor for their contributions to the franchise, as shown on their official website (https://www.steelers.com/history/hall-of-fame/).
Coach Mike Tomlin commented on Harmon’s impact: “He certainly has been an asset to us particularly in terms of defending and stopping the run. He’s a first rounder. That’s why you draft first rounders. He’s really talented.”
Despite missing five games due to injuries during his rookie season, Harmon remained a key part of the defense.
“For me, it’s kind of tough because I haven’t been a type of guy that got injured a lot,” said Harmon. “And I came to the NFL, and it happened twice in my rookie year, so it’s kind of hard.
“But it’s part of the game, so I’ve just got to stay optimistic and really just stay on course.”
Harmon explained how he worked to keep a positive outlook while recovering from injury: “(The second) go around for me was just staying positive,” he said. “The first go around, I don’t feel like I was really as positive. This one I tried to stay as positive.
“Just being in the building, showing up to meetings and still preparing like I’m still going to play the game. That’s how I look at it.”
Drafted 21st overall out of Oregon in 2025, Harmon started all 14 games for Oregon in 2024 and earned several honors before joining Pittsburgh.
When he was drafted by the Steelers, Tomlin said: “He has Steelers DNA. For us it starts inside and up front. This is a guy that is capable of dominating that space versus the run and the pass. We are excited about having him. Really excited about getting him in here and getting started.
“There is no substitute for young talent. You don’t have a chance to build a quality defense unless you are stout inside and up front. This is a guy that has an opportunity to learn from the likes of Cam Heyward and put his hand in the pile and be a significant contributor for us for years to come.”
Queen received ‘The Chief’ Award, which recognizes members who exemplify cooperation with media—an honor established in memory of Arthur J. Rooney Sr., who founded the team in 1933 (https://www.steelers.com/history/hall-of-fame/). Since joining Pittsburgh from Baltimore as an unrestricted free agent before last season, Queen has made himself available for interviews regularly.
Queen recently spoke about accountability within the team following some challenging performances: “Buffalo was the last straw,” Queen shared a few weeks ago. “Everybody got off what they needed to get off and everybody was basically right Everybody was saying the same exact thing, that we just have to be accountable and do our job.
“It was a little bit of everybody. It was just basically, if you have something to say, say it… Guys just said what they had to say… It wasn’t a ‘come to Jesus’ moment or everybody chewing each other out…”
“We just come in each and every single day and try to be the best that we can…” Queen added regarding team communication efforts.
Teammate Payton Wilson praised Queen’s leadership: “It’s been really cool… But he’s a great vet… It’s just the way you’re supposed to play the game… He’s the quarterback of our defense…”
Queen also served as Pittsburgh’s nominee for this year’s Salute to Service Award presented by USAA due to his involvement supporting veterans through organizations such as Veterans Leadership Program (VLP) and Veterans Place of Washington Boulevard.
Regarding his outreach efforts with veterans’ groups, Queen stated: “All the stuff they went through in the past, and then them coming back home and the stuff they go through… I feel like we don’t take care of them enough…
“I feel like there are way more opportunities out there for us… What I do is just a little token of appreciation.”
The Steelers continue traditions honoring both players’ achievements through annual awards while maintaining connections with their history—including six Super Bowl championships (https://www.steelers.com/history/super-bowls/)—and community engagement initiatives highlighted on their official website (https://www.steelers.com/history/hall-of-honor/).
