Steelers Facing New Challenge While In Pursuit Of Another Safety

The Pittsburgh Steelers have arguably been the most active team throughout the 2025 offseason. Many moves have been made by General Manager Omar Khan, but arguably the most shocking was the most recent deal that got done. Minkah Fitzpatrick was sent to the Miami Dolphins, which led to Jalen Ramsey and Jonnu Smith being traded to Pittsburgh. While Fitzpatrick didn't play like an All-Pro throughout the 2023 and 2024 seasons, the decision to part ways with him created a big hole in the secondary. No one is sure just yet if Juan Thornhill will be able to step into a very important starting role.

It's possible that Ramsey will also work into the safety spot, but the Steelers could be one unfortunate injury away from being in an incredibly difficult spot when it comes to the position. This has had many speculating about the team's potential desire to add a veteran that is currently a free agent. The list has some intriguing names, but no moves have been made just yet.

The individuals that are still looking for new homes could be waiting to see how training camp plays out for the 32 NFL franchises before making a decision on where to play. This is why it's incredibly risky for a team like Pittsburgh to hold off on bringing in another serviceable safety option. 

On Tuesday, the situation got a little more interesting, as there is a new organization that will be looking to bring in someone who plays the position.

In a surprising turn of events for the New Orleans Saints, Tyrann Mathieu announced his retirement just as the final phase of the offseason ramps up. This put the team in a tough spot, and will likely lead to an addition at some point, as pointed out by General Manager Mickey Loomis. The likelihood that the Steelers bring in a formidable option is high, so the development in New Orleans adds a new layer of competition for Khan and co.

Thornhill is an interesting piece to the Steelers' defensive puzzle because no one is quite sure which version of him the team will get in 2025. The overall need for another body still exists due to the threat of injury. Without Fitzpatrick, Pittsburgh is extremely thin at the position, which is why a new team like the Saints coming into the picture could possibly cause some more unneeded competition.

After Thornhill and DeShon Elliott, it gets pretty dicey in the backend of the Steelers' secondary. A newcomer like Sebastian Castro could always impress and earn a role, but that would be a risk that many would advise against taking. With all of the money that Pittsburgh has invested in the defense, it would be looked at as a failure if one injury to an important safety ruins the season.

There are plenty of free agents available, so if the front office has someone in mind, it should absolutely reach out sooner rather than later, especially after the abrupt retirement of Mathieu in New Orleans. The goal should be to bring a veteran in that could contribute immediately, without needing too much time to get up to speed on the defensive system.

Steelers Hoping Ramsey Is Worth The Money

Not only did Pittsburgh make a big move to ship off Fitzpatrick, but the decision was made to give Ramsey a small pay bump for the 2025 campaign. If he proves to be as versatile as expected, the lack of another true safety may not be a talking point once the regular season ramps up. All in all, the front office and coaching staff have to be betting on Ramsey's success if there isn't another player signed in the near future.

Do you think that the Steelers need to sign another safety? Let us know in the comments below!

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