dpLast offseason, the Pittsburgh Steelers traded Minkah Fitzpatrick, who had been one of their most dynamic defenders in the previous handful of years. They traded him for Jalen Ramsey, whom they hoped would become a new kind of Swiss army knife in the Steelers’ defense.
Ramsey played well enough last season but he did have some rough moments along with the rest of the secondary. The year wasn’t easy for him, having to move to safety later in the season as the defense struggled with injuries and poor play.
To Steelers beat writer Mark Kaboly, Ramsey’s second year in Pittsburgh should be easier than the first on. On his Steelers Collective show, Kaboly was asked to pick a candidate who could win the team MVP award.
“I’m also sticking with Jalen Ramsey. I think he stays healthy,” Kaboly said Tuesday. “I think he will be a difference maker on that defense, that pushes him over the edge, and we don’t have to hear any more about the highest-paid defense, blah, blah, blah.”
If Ramsey can come close to what Kaboly is predicting, it would be quite welcome by a defense that is a little thin in certain areas. Up front, Pittsburgh has plenty of depth, which should help the secondary out a little. But last year Pittsburgh had to move Ramsey to safety, and he probably won’t spend all his time in one spot this year either.
Jalen Ramsey is the starting nickel corner on the team’s most recent depth chart. That’s where he’ll see the most time at to start the year. But the Steelers lost depth at safety before moving Ramsey last year. They don’t enter this season with a ton of depth either.
DeShon Elliott is on injured reserve. Rayshawn Jenkins has experience but is also a journeyman veteran. Jaquan Brisker has been banged up. And, finally, Robert Spears-Jennings is a seventh-round pick.
But Ramsey adjusted to safety well over the course of the 2025 season. In Brandin Echols, the Steelers do have another nickel defender if they want to move him around. And moving Ramsey around the defense is something Mike McCarthy talked about doing as far back as early April.
The Steelers’ defense is going to look very different this year. With a new staff in place, it’s a jolt for some of the players. It may take some time for the unit to adjust. One veteran who needs to lead the way is Jalen Ramsey, and that’s what Kaboly thinks is going to happen.
