Steelers' Jalen Ramsey's New Safety Role Has Brought Him "A Renewed Energy"

The Pittsburgh Steelers' defense went from an outright disaster, to the kind of unit that was promised to fans by multiple people within the facilities back in August. They have given up just under 20 points per game during this recent stretch, and it seems to be no fluke. The major personnel changes and the new scheme have done wonders for this group, and if this continues, maybe they'll have a chance to even win a playoff game. They have to finish this late-season gauntlet first however, before they can start thinking about the postseason.

A lot of that change on defense has come with Jalen Ramsey switching from cornerback/rover to full-time free safety. Recently, insider Mike DeFabo of The Athletic recalled an answer from the veteran defensive back on how this new position has been a major boost, and not just to the Steelers: to him as well.

"I guess you could say maybe it brings a renewed energy for me," Ramsey said. "Playing corner for 10 years, you learn the game and it kind of becomes the same old, same old, same old every day. Not saying that I wasn’t learning or wasn’t trying to continue to grow at that role. But at safety now, I’m just in the meetings and back like that, I’m learning new things to look at, different ways to look at the game from the safety’s point of view."

You can still teach an old dog new tricks. The switch was made around Ramsey's 31st birthday, and it has been an absolute boom for everyone involved. With his struggles at cornerback, he seemed like a prime cap casualty candidate in the offseason. Now, the Steelers may be willing to work out some sort of restructure to keep him in Pittsburgh for a few more years. 

DeFabo also did a little film study about how Ramsey is able to help disguise coverages along with new teammate Kyle Dugger. He credited the pick-six in Week 11 to Ramsey for how he showed a Cover 2 look, then backed off. That "confused" quarterback Joe Flacco enough to throw the ball into the waiting arms of Dugger, and that helped to ice the game. In fact, the two contests against the Cincinnati Bengals show exactly how this change of defense was needed. In the first contest, Flacco was picking the defense apart like it was 2013 again. Ja'Marr Chase had a historic day, and a lot of those receptions came with Ramsey playing in coverage against him.

In the second matchup, Ramsey was able to make some key plays at safety, and his physicality showed against Chase a handful of times -- which eventually led to Chase spitting on the safety. However, that presence at the new position also allowed Joey Porter Jr. and James Pierre to lock Chase down in press coverage. Chase was held to just three catches for 30 yards. Instead of scoring 33 points like they did in the first matchup, the Bengals only scored 12. 

Ramsey's production and renewed energy may not show up heavily on the stat sheet, but there is no doubt that he is playing faster and smarter. His style of ball has translated amazingly from cornerback to safety, but now, he can use his brain a lot more. While he is still learning all the ways to see things from his new point of view, the eye test and overall defensive boost would say that he has already mastered it.

Steelers Have A Tough Decision To Make Soon

Ramsey was originally forced into the safety role due to all the injuries at the position, including DeShon Elliott going to Injured Reserve. Since then, he and Dugger have been borderline elite together. Once Elliott gets healthy, the coaching staff will have a problem on their hands. Who would they bench, and would they move Ramsey back to cornerback?

What do you think about Ramsey admitting he has renewed energy after switching positions? Let us know in the comments or on X at @Steelers_ChrisB.

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