Pittsburgh Steelers former defensive tackle, Javon Hargrave is coming off a career year for the Philadelphia Eagles and will be part of a scary pass rush trying to make life miserable for Kansas City Chiefs quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, when he makes his Super Bowl debut.
Photo Credit: Peter Diana/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Once thought to be a crucial part of Pittsburgh's pass rush, Javon Hargrave has been a vital member of the unit that helped push the Eagles to the Super Bowl in 2023.
After an up-and-down tenure with the Steelers in four seasons following his selection in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft, Hargrave signed a three-year deal to become a member of the Philadelphia Eagles and the move has upped both his role and his production. He only broke the 600 snap count on defense once as a member of the Steelers and has been over that threshold in all three of his seasons with the Eagles. In 2022, his career-best 11 sacks placed him third among defensive tackles in the stat, one place above the Steelers' Cameron Heyward.
"In Pittsburgh, I didn’t really play as much like I’m playing in Philadelphia, but when I got to Philly, they just cut me loose," he told Andscape.com's Mia Berry. "They put me in good situations to win."
He gave some credit to the Steelers for allowing him to get his feet wet at the professional level, but said Philadelphia has really let him fly and it's been for mutual benefit. Hargrave has established himself as a premier defensive tackle in the league and the team is back in the sport's biggest game for the first time since 2018.
“I just grew up. I think Pittsburgh helped me too, but I grew up here in Philadelphia, just being consistent and, like I say, sticking to my routine.”
Former Steelers DT Makes Changes To Get To Biggest Game Of His Career
Photo Credit: Rich Schultz/AP PHOTO
Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle, Javon Hargrave hits New York Giants quarterback, Jake Fromm during an NFL game in Philadelphia, PA.
For Hargrave, taking proper care of his body during the long grind of the NFL season has helped him to take a step forward. He's developed a strict regimen for his fitness and his diet to maintain stamina and weight during the year. Eagles defensive line coach and former NFL defensive tackle, Tracy Rocker said he's noticed a difference this year in the way the South Carolina State alum has approached the game.
“His body has changed. He even talks about this, he’s more in tune to his body. I will say what has improved over that is pass rushing, a sense of urgency. He is on fire,” Rocker said to Berry about the progress he's seen from Hargrave. "I think a lot of times some underestimate his body type [and] how good of an athlete this guy is.”
Photo Credit: Alex Brandon/AP PHOTO
Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle, Javon Hargrave (97) pulls down Washington Commanders quarterback, Carson Wentz (11) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022, in Landover, MD.
Hargrave is playing the best football of his career in a contract year and should be set for a big payday regardless of the outcome against the Chiefs. He was recently ranked as the number one defensive lineman in the 2023 class by NBCSportsBoston.
So, Steeler Nation, are you rooting for Hargrave to get his first ring? Where do you think he'll end up this off-season? Let us know in the comments or on social media.
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