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After the Loss to the Bengals, T.J. Watt Showed Up at 4 A.M. to Train - But One Rookie Had Arrived Even Earlier

Pittsburgh, PA – October 20, 2025

After a crushing 31–33 loss to the Bengals, the Steelers’ defense has come under fire — and no one felt that sting more than veteran captain

T.J. Watt. Known for setting the tone with effort and leadership, Watt was back at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex by 4 A.M. the next morning, determined to fix what went wrong.

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But when he walked in, someone was already there.

“He looked like he never left after the loss,” Watt said quietly. “That’s when I knew this kid gets it. He’s built for Pittsburgh.”

That “kid” is Derrick Harmon, the Steelers’ rookie defensive tackle out of Oregon — and the 24th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Through four games, Harmon has started every one, posting

14 tackles (8 solo), 2.5 sacks, 5 tackles for loss, and a forced fumble — numbers that already put him in early contention for Defensive Rookie of the Year.

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Harmon has flashed explosive power next to Cam Heyward and Keeanu Benton in the Steelers’ 3-4 front, filling the void left by Larry Ogunjobi’s offseason departure. His blend of speed, leverage, and awareness has made him an immediate impact player. In Week 1 against the Jets, he recorded a crucial pressure on Justin Fields that sealed a narrow 34–32 win. By Week 3, he was dominating interior gaps, tallying a sack and four tackles against New England.

Even with the loss to Cincinnati, Harmon’s intensity stood out. “Harmon has Steeler DNA — grit and dominance,” said head coach Mike Tomlin, praising the rookie’s attitude after the defeat.

Fans on X have taken notice too, with one post from @SteelersDepot going viral: “He’s Heyward 2.0. The future of the Steelers’ D-line starts now.”

For a team searching for answers on defense, Derrick Harmon may already be the one providing them — not just through stats, but through relentless effort.

Because while the Steelers’ veterans mourned the loss, their rookie stayed behind — ready to rebuild the standard, one rep at a time.

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Packers' Star QB Refuses MVP Title to Fully Focus on Team in Tough Phase
Can you believe it? Jordan Love, the "red-hot" quarterback of the Green Bay Packers, is on track to compete for MVP with +1000 odds at DraftKings – but this guy is "refusing" personal glory to pour all his energy into the team struggling with a "hellish" schedule! Is this a heroic act or just a ploy? Read now to uncover the "truth" behind it! In the Super Bowl era, the Packers have produced three MVP legends: Bart Starr (1966), Brett Favre (1995-1997), and Aaron Rodgers (2011, 2014, 2020, 2021). Now, Jordan Love has a chance to become the fourth, putting the Packers on par with the Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts – the only team with four QB MVPs like Johnny Unitas, Earl Morrall, Bert Jones, and Peyton Manning. With his current "explosive" form, Love ranks fourth in the NFL for passer rating (105.4), tied for fifth in touchdown passes (22), with only four interceptions – the fewest among QBs starting all 13 games, and a 67.1% completion rate ranking seventh. But instead of "dreaming" of MVP, Love seems to be "rejecting" it! In a recent interview, he emphasized: "These are the most important games of the season, obviously with a lot of things coming down to playoff seeding and the division race, so this is the important football. I think it’s everybody, we keep stacking and keep getting better and better throughout the season and learn from the mistakes we make and overcome some of the obstacles. Just keep stacking and trying to find ways to get better every day is something that’s been helping us." These words are like a clear "declaration": Love doesn't care about MVP, but only wants to focus on the team in its "tough phase" with a 9-3-1 record, trailing the Rams (10-3) in the NFC. Head coach Matt LaFleur also "sings along": "Yeah, he’s playing really good football right now. That’s obviously important and it’s going to be important moving forward." And offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich praises the consistency: "I would say just the consistency that he’s had has been great... Just being a consistent, efficient quarterback is one thing that I’ve been really pleased with." But it's Packers defensive end Micah Parsons who "reveals" why Love deserves but is "overlooking" MVP: "I definitely think he deserves recognition... If you go off strength of schedule, how he's played and with him missing half his receivers, I think that goes unnoticed, too. Some of the things he did without (Christian Watson) early in the year, then (Jayden Reed), so this guy was missing two of his starting receivers majority of the year and they're just now getting back in these last eight weeks of the stretch, so I definitely think he deserves a lot more credit and I'm just happy I'm able to be a part of this journey with him." Currently, Matthew Stafford of the Rams leads the MVP race with -180 odds, 35 touchdown passes (far ahead of Dak Prescott with 26), passer rating 113.1, and only four interceptions. Drake Maye of the Patriots follows with +200, passer rating 111.9, 3,412 passing yards, and 23 touchdowns. Love, with a four-game winning streak (nine touchdowns, one interception, passer rating 112.1), could stage a comeback if he maintains "red-hot form" – especially in the upcoming two "epic" games: away at Denver (11-2) and Chicago (9-4). If the Packers leap to the NFC's No. 1 seed (likely needing a 4-0 finish), while the Rams stumble against Detroit (8-5) and Seattle (10-3), or the Patriots slip against Buffalo (9-4) and Baltimore (6-7), Love would have a shot at MVP. But with his "humble" attitude, does Love really want to "accept" that title? Or is he sacrificing personally to save the Packers from the "tough phase"? The 2025 NFL drama is "hotter than ever"! Do you think Love is "playing a trick" to motivate the team? Comment now and follow for the "shocking" outcome of the MVP race!