The Pittsburgh Steelers finished last season as a bottom-10 passing defense, surrendering 224.5 passing yards per game (23rd in the NFL in 2024).
With that knowledge, the Steelers made several changes to their secondary, including letting Donte Jackson and Damontae Kazee sign with other teams, allowing Cameron Sutton, C.J. Henderson, Ryan Watts and Zyon Gilbert to remain on the market unsigned, and bringing in Brandin Echols and Darius Slay to play sizeable roles in 2025.
Now that their offseason program has come to a close, Pittsburgh should be looking for opportunities to improve their roster over the next month, before they step on the field for training camp.
While their cornerback room may already be better this year than it was last, teams should always be trying to upgrade at that position to limit opposing passing attacks. And with Jalen Ramsey on the trade block, it’s no surprise that many have speculated about the Steelers trying to get him in black and gold.
In fact, Steelers Wire’s Curt Popejoy recently projected that Pittsburgh could send a 2026 fourth-round pick to the Dolphins that could become a third with performance stipulations. He also suggested that Miami would have to eat some of Ramsey’s $25 million salary in 2025.
Ramsey, 30, has been one of the best cornerbacks in the league since the Jacksonville Jaguars took him in the first round (No. 5 overall) of the 2016 NFL draft out of Florida State.
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In his nine seasons with Jacksonville, the Los Angeles Rams and the Dolphins, Ramsey has won a Super Bowl, has been selected to seven Pro Bowls and has earned All-Pro honors thrice. He’s also appeared in 135 games and recorded 534 tackles (27 for a loss), 108 passes defensed, 24 interceptions, nine quarterback hits, six forced fumbles, three sacks and two fumbles recovered.
Even though their both in their 30s, the thought of having Slay and Ramsey locking up opposing wide receivers is one that could entice Steelers general manager Omar Khan and head coach Mike Tomlin.
Ramsey is under contract through 2028, so Pittsburgh could have him around for a while if they want, or they could wiggle out of the deal in 2026 without a huge dead cap hit.
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