The Pittsburgh Steelers have undergone some major changes since the end of the 2025 season. The main changes have come on the coaching staff, as former head coach Mike Tomlin stepped down, leaving his entire staff without a job for the 2026 season. Mike McCarthy was eventually hired, and he brought back some guys that served on Tomlin's staff, but the new coach mainly reworked the majority of the coaching roster. The hiring of McCarthy was somewhat unpopular at first, but the fan base has come around as the coach has built out an impressive staff and the Steelers have made some good roster moves since his hiring.
Matt Freed / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Steelers' new head coach Mike McCarthy smiles as he addresses the media during his introductory press conference that took place at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA.
One of McCarthy's hires was Defensive Coordinator Patrick Graham. Graham has been the defensive coordinator for the Las Vegas Raiders for the last four seasons, which means he was able to stick around on the staff across several different head coaches. That says a lot about his character and his ability to mesh with others, and he is one of the more exciting hires on this new staff. He spoke to the media for the first time on Friday, and he was asked about his personnel on the defensive side of the ball. The media specifically asked where Jalen Ramsey would be playing, and Graham sidestepped the question while complimenting the veteran defensive back.
"Definitely a chess piece," Graham said. "But you're asking me a question in April -- he's a good football player who happens to be a defensive back. Jalen does a lot of things well. I love what I hear about his leadership. He gave me a suggestion of where to get my haircut ... the thing that spoke to me was his energy."
There have been a lot of questions surrounding Ramsey as he played outside cornerback, slot cornerback, and safety. He played his best at safety for the Steelers during the 2025 season, and showed that he may have lost a step when it comes to being an outside cornerback. There were several instances where he could not make a play for Pittsburgh while at cornerback.
Sebastian Foltz / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Steelers cornerback Jalen Ramsey walks the field during training camp in Latrobe, PA ahead of the 2025 NFL season.
Graham is still in the middle of figuring out his defense, so it isn't unreasonable for him not to have a direct answer to the media. However, it is obvious that Joey Porter Jr. is going to be starting on the outside, and newly acquired cornerback Jamel Dean didn't sign a $36 million deal to sit on the bench or play in the slot. Ramsey will likely be at safety or in the slot.
There were some questions about whether or not the Steelers would look to part ways with Ramsey during the 2026 offseason, but that doesn't seem like something that the fan base needs to worry about. He is going to be on the field, it just depends where at. His versatility is a privilege, and it could help Pittsburgh with some disguises and things of that nature.
Steelers Could Add To The Secondary During The 2026 NFL Draft
Pittsburgh might add some other factors to the question about where Ramsey might be lining up in 2026. The franchise already has DeShon Elliott and Jaquan Brisker at safety, and presumably Ramsey. Ramsey and Elliott would likely be the starters while Brisker could come in as a third safety, or some sort of big nickel. Brisker is on a one-year deal and Elliott only has two years left, which means that safety could be an option in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Sean Meagher / The Oregonian
Former Ducks safety Dillon Thieneman during his time in college.
The Steelers have had two safeties in for pre-draft visits, and Dillon Thieneman out of Oregon has been mentioned as an option for Pittsburgh in the first round by several draft analysts.
Where do you think Ramsey will take the majority of his snaps during the 2026 season? Let me know on X, @brogannoey!
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