Steelers' Jalen Ramsey Quickly Proving Doubters Wrong: "Turned Heads Like The 3 Time All Pro He Is"

The Pittsburgh Steelers made a massive trade to part ways with safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, and in return, they got back tight end Jonnu Smith and star cornerback Jalen Ramsey from the Miami Dolphins. Many Steelers fans were excited about the deal, as it brought in two proven Pro Bowl talents to strengthen both sides of the ball. Still, the loss of Fitzpatrick raised concerns about the depth and stability of the safety room as the season approaches.

While Smith is expected to provide an immediate boost on offense, much of the early focus has been on Ramsey. The veteran cornerback is a three-time All-Pro, but at 30 years old, questions surrounded how much high-level play he still had left. Some wondered if injuries and age had begun to catch up with him, leaving fans and analysts uncertain about what to expect.

According to Steelers reporter Chris Adamski, Ramsey has quickly silenced the doubts. Just three days into his time at training camp, he has already impressed coaches, teammates, and reporters with his sharp play and intensity. Ramsey looks locked in and is making it clear that he is still one of the most dominant defensive backs in the league.

"Three days into practices with the Pittsburgh Steelers, three days in which Jalen Ramsey turned heads like the three-time NFL All-Pro he is," Adamski said.

When a cornerback reaches the other side of 30, it's natural for people to start questioning how much they have left in the tank. Ramsey, known for his speed and versatility, built his reputation as one of the most dynamic defensive backs in the NFL. In the 2024 season, when healthy, he continued to play at an elite level and was widely regarded as one of the league’s top corners.

There was plenty of curiosity about how the Steelers would use Ramsey after acquiring him. Some wondered if Pittsburgh might shift him to safety or rotate him through different roles within the secondary to maximize his impact. His skill set gives the coaching staff plenty of options.

As training camp has gotten underway, Steelers insiders are already pointing out the flexibility the team is showing with Ramsey. Whether he’s lining up outside, inside, or playing deep coverage, Pittsburgh appears committed to using every bit of his talent to strengthen a defense that’s expected to carry a heavy load in 2025.

"Again on Saturday, Ramsey lined up some out of the slot/nickel as well as deep free safety and even some hybrid inside linebacker/strong safety," Adamski said.

The Steelers' secondary collapsed down the stretch of the 2024 season. Earlier in the year, Pittsburgh’s defense looked like one of the best in the NFL, consistently making big plays and locking down opponents. But that early promise faded quickly, as the unit unraveled late in the year and struggled badly against elite offenses.

Steelers' Secondary Should Be Very Elite In 2025

To address the issue, the Steelers made several key moves. They added veteran cornerback Darius Slay to bring leadership and experience to the group, and Joey Porter Jr. is heading into a massive season with high expectations. Slay is expected to mentor Porter, and together they could form one of the more exciting outside cornerback duos in the league.

The real strength of the group, however, may come from the addition of Ramsey. He can line up alongside Slay and Porter in three-cornerback packages, taking on a role at nickel corner, or even rotating into safety when needed. His ability to move around the field and fill multiple roles brings a new level of flexibility to the Steelers' defense. With Slay, Porter, and Ramsey in the mix, Pittsburgh’s secondary has the potential to be one of the best in the NFL in 2025.

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