Steelers stock rises for Harmon and Johnson amid OL concerns

A look at rising players for the Steelers while acknowledging ongoing issues on the offensive line after a shaky week against the Buccaneers.

Harmon and Johnson lift Steelers stock as line play raises concerns

PITTSBURGH, PA The Steelers fell 17-14 to the Buccaneers in their second preseason game, a night defined by self-inflicted mistakes. A roughing the kicker penalty and three interceptions, including a late pick by Logan Woodside, helped Tampa Bay set up the game-winning field goal. In August, the score matters little; the showcase is for players trying to claim a role on the 53-man roster.

Derrick Harmon continued to look like the top pick the Steelers hoped for, a quick and powerful interior presence who can rush the passer and hold ground against blocks. He sack Kyle Trask on a third-and-8 and later anchored a run-stop that limited a gain. Kaleb Johnson showed the scheme fit the team craves with his cut-back vision, breaking a 14-yard run and flashing the instinct to find lanes in cluttered near-creases. Roman Wilson emerged as a dynamic playmaker, recording 72 receiving yards in the first quarter and showing the speed to threaten vertically. Inside linebacker Cole Holcomb, back from a knee injury, led the group in early tackles and offered a glimpse of the versatility the defense hopes to lean on as the summer wears on. On the other side, the line’s struggles to create consistent rushing lanes remained evident, underscoring why depth battles will matter as rosters take shape. The status of long snapper Christian Kuntz added another layer of uncertainty to special teams heading toward the start of the season.

The preseason is a lab for potential, not a final report. Harmon’s consistent energy and Johnson’s ability to answer with decisive cuts point to a foundation the Steelers can build on, even as the line still looks unsettled. The contrast between a rising young defense and a vulnerable front five is a reminder that a good roster is built from both growth and repair.

The bigger picture is planning for September with a thin margin for error. If the line struggles to open lanes, even strong individual performances can be stifled by a lack of support up front. The coaching staff will weigh whether Harmon and Johnson are ready for increased roles or if more time is needed to lock in a starting unit while keeping key players fresh for a rigorous schedule.

Highlights

The next test will help clarify how much the Steelers can rely on youth while fixing what holds them back up front.