By Moses Joshua 
Pittsburgh icon delivers a blunt message ahead of a physical Week 16 showdown with the Lions
As the Pittsburgh Steelers prepare for a pivotal Week 16 matchup against the Detroit Lions, one of the most intimidating figures in franchise history has stepped into the conversation. James Harrison doesn’t coach. He doesn’t play anymore. But when he speaks about Steelers football, people listen.
This week, Harrison delivered a clear, forceful warning—one aimed squarely at Pittsburgh’s defense and centered on a Lions player who doesn’t always dominate headlines but thrives in the trenches.
Harrison Sounds the Alarm on David Montgomery
Speaking on the latest episode of the “Deebo & Joe” podcast, the former All-Pro linebacker zeroed in on Detroit running back David Montgomery, making it clear that box-score scouting won’t be enough.
“I know Montgomery because he trains in Arizona with me,” Harrison said. “We have the same trainer, and I ain’t gonna lie to you. Y’all better be ready to go ahead and drop shoulder, body, everything on that dude.
“Because he’s looking for work. He’s looking for action. That boy deadlifts like 700 pounds.”
That’s not trash talk—it’s a scouting report delivered with the kind of credibility only Harrison carries.
Montgomery has quietly put together another efficient season, rushing for 635 yards and eight touchdowns while averaging a career-best 4.7 yards per carry. He may not be Detroit’s flashiest weapon, but he’s the tone-setter in an offense built on balance and toughness.
Why Montgomery Is the Real Test for Pittsburgh
Harrison’s message goes beyond one player. It’s about identity.
Detroit’s backfield duo of Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs has been one of the NFL’s most productive tandems, combining for nearly 2,400 yards from scrimmage and 24 total touchdowns through 14 games. Gibbs brings speed and explosiveness. Montgomery brings punishment.
Recent history suggests the Steelers can’t afford to underestimate that combination.
Pittsburgh held Miami to just 63 rushing yards last week, but the two games before that told a different story—more than 200 rushing yards allowed to both the Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens. One of those games resulted in a blowout loss.
The message from Harrison is clear: physicality isn’t optional against Detroit. It’s the entry fee.
A Chess Match in the Trenches
There are reasons for cautious optimism in Pittsburgh. Defensive lineman Derrick Harmon is set to return after missing three games with a knee injury, and the numbers are stark—before Week 15, the Steelers were allowing nearly 100 more rushing yards per game when Harmon didn’t play.
Still, Detroit presents a different challenge.
Jared Goff isn’t a running quarterback, which allows Pittsburgh to focus more directly on the running backs. But doing so comes with risk. Amon-Ra St. Brown remains one of the league’s elite route runners, and Jameson Williams can flip the field in an instant. Overcommitting to the run could be costly.
That balance is exactly why Harrison’s warning matters. Stopping Montgomery isn’t just about tackles—it’s about setting the tone early so the Lions can’t dictate the game on their terms.
The Bottom Line
James Harrison didn’t mince words, and he didn’t need to. His message was simple: if the Steelers aren’t prepared for a full-contact, four-quarter fight, David Montgomery will make them pay.
Detroit’s offense is built to wear teams down. Pittsburgh’s defense prides itself on toughness. Sunday will reveal which identity holds up.
And if history has taught Steelers fans anything, it’s this—when James Harrison issues a warning, it’s usually worth taking seriously.