Steelers have a lot to be excited about after rookie Derrick Harmon confirms suspicion regarding his Week 1 playing time

Derrick Harmon impresses despite limited snaps during his debut

To record a sack in your first game is a great omen for your career. Harmon looked the part in his 34 reps, recording a tackle for loss and a sack despite facing a double team on a play that I broke down below.

Now, the next step for Harmon and really, the Steelers' defense as a whole, is to be better against the run. Again, there was improvement there as the Patriots' top rusher was quarterback Drake Maye, but they still let up over 100 yards on the ground despite forcing four fumbles.

I mean, take the Cam Heyward plays alone. If he doesn't reach out and swat the football to force an interception and then do it again on the goal line, the Steelers let up 14 points. He single-handedly saved them there, before Aaron Rodgers set up the game-winning TD throw.

And the Steelers defense has undoubtedly dealt with attrition. We know they are missing starters, if not critical players like Alex Highsmith, Joey Porter Jr. and DeShon Elliott. Obviously, not having Harmon the first two weeks hurt that unit.

But there are still too many good players to be making these kinds of mistakes. Too many T.J. Watts and Cam Heywards and Patrick Queens to be letting every team go over the century mark on the ground so far this season.

That's what the Steelers are hoping to change the most with the arrival of Harmon.