Steelers' Jalen Ramsey Makes Revealing Confession About Playing In Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Steelers made a bunch of aggressive moves in the 2025 offseason. One of those moves was General Manager Omar Khan’s decision to trade away former All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick to acquire tight end Jonnu Smith and cornerback Jalen Ramsey from the Miami Dolphins. The Steelers clearly viewed Ramsey as a cornerstone piece to elevate their defense to an elite level in 2025. 

As training camp has come and gone, Ramsey has quickly reminded those in Latrobe, PA, just how dominant he can still be. Following a practice session, Ramsey sat down with Ryan Clark, Fred Taylor, and Channing Crowder for an episode of The Pivot podcast to share his early impressions of life in the Steel City.

During the conversation, Ramsey spoke about the culture he has experienced since joining the Steelers, expressing admiration for the way the organization operates. He pointed to the smooth handling of TJ Watt’s contract negotiations as an example of how the Steelers take care of their own. 

"Probably so," Ramsey said on The Pivot podcast when asked if his career would have been different if the Steelers would have drafted him. "Yeah, 100 percent... If I would've started my career here, it probably would've been different. My focus may have been a little bit different at times. I may have been here my whole career. This is like a place where I feel like, one, they take care of they own. I truly believe that they take care of their own. Two, guys really want to be here."

Ramsey explained that such mutual commitment between player and team is not common across the league, making Pittsburgh stand out. He also noted how much players genuinely want to be part of the organization, praising the coaching staff, fan base, and the team’s tradition of winning. 

To him, it is a football environment built for long-term success and player happiness.

"I've heard them say it when they were going through TJ [Watt's] contract, I was watching Mike [Tomlin's] interviews," Ramsey said. "He's like, 'Both sides want to get it done, so it's gonna get done. That's not always the case where you at everywhere. But here, it is like, 'I want to be here. Let's figure it out. Let's do it the right way!' They handle business the right way. Fans are amazing here. Coaching staff is amazing here. They're always winning here. It's not much to not be happy about if you truly love football."

Ramsey went further by admitting that if he had been drafted by the Steelers earlier in his career, things might have turned out much differently. He suggested that his mindset and focus could have been even sharper and that he might have spent his entire career in Pittsburgh. 

Steelers' Jalen Ramsey Really Loving His Time In Pittsburgh

For Ramsey, the Steelers represent the kind of stability, respect, and winning culture that players strive for. His comments not only highlight his high regard for the organization, but also serve as a reminder of the unique culture that has made Pittsburgh one of the most respected franchises in the NFL.

Ramsey was drafted in the fifth round of the 2016 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars. He arrives in Pittsburgh at the age of 30, aiming to help the team build the best defense in the league. His career has included stops in Jacksonville, with the Los Angeles Rams where he won a Super Bowl, and with the Dolphins. Now he is enjoying his time in the Steel City.

Do you believe Ramsey's career would have been a lot different had Pittsburgh originally drafted him in that 2016 NFL Draft? Let us know in the comments below! Please feel free to share your Steelers takes with me on X @anthonyghalkias and toss a follow.

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