Steelers Steal? Why Jalen Ramsey to Pittsburgh Makes Perfect Sense in 2025
The Pittsburgh Steelers, fresh off a season where their defense ranked ninth in the NFL, are perpetually looking for ways to improve. After signing future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers to a one-year deal, the Steelers have been mentioned in trade rumors for Miami Dolphins star cornerback Jalen Ramsey. Could acquiring the All-Pro cornerback be the move that puts the Steelers over the top?
The Rodgers Effect: Steelers Go All-In
The acquisition of Aaron Rodgers signals a clear intention: the Steelers are in win-now mode. With Rodgers under center, the Steelers’ Super Bowl aspirations have skyrocketed. However, even with Rodgers’s arrival, holes remain on the roster, particularly in the secondary. The team could use more help in the secondary and Ramsey is arguably the best player available.
Why Ramsey Fits in Pittsburgh
- Addressing a Need: While the Steelers have invested in young talent like Joey Porter Jr., adding a seasoned veteran like Ramsey would provide an immediate boost to the cornerback room.
- Versatility: Ramsey’s ability to play multiple positions in the secondary makes him an attractive option for defensive coordinator Teryl Austin. He could slot in as the nickel cornerback, similar to what the Baltimore Ravens did with Marlon Humphrey in 2024.
- Leadership: Ramsey is a seven-time Pro Bowler, a three-time First-Team All-Pro, and a Super Bowl champion. His experience and leadership would be invaluable to a Steelers defense looking to make a statement.
The Financial Hurdle
The biggest obstacle to a potential Ramsey trade is his contract. He is signed with Miami through 2028 after a recent extension that made him the league’s highest-paid cornerback. Any trade would require a team willing to take on the remainder of his contract, which carries a $16.6 million cap hit in 2025.
According to Spotrac, the Steelers have $18.8 million in cap space. While they could make the money work, it would require some maneuvering, potentially restructuring other contracts or shedding salary elsewhere.
Overcoming the Obstacles
- Dolphins Eating Salary: One way to make the deal more palatable for the Steelers is if the Dolphins agree to pay a portion of Ramsey’s salary. This would lower his cap hit and make him a more affordable option.
- Restructuring Ramsey’s Contract: The Steelers could also look to restructure Ramsey’s contract, potentially converting some of his salary into a signing bonus to spread out the cap hit over multiple years.
- Post-June 1 Trade: The Dolphins would be dealt a significant cap charge in the event a trade were to be worked out before June 1 (whereas the dead money could be spread out across two years if Ramsey were to be dealt after that date).
The Potential Trade Package
If the Steelers were to pursue Ramsey, what might a potential trade package look like? According to NFL insider Albert Breer, the Dolphins could have a hard time getting anything more than a fourth or fifth-round pick depending on how much Miami or his new team is willing to pay financially.
Steelers Defensive Changes for 2025
The Steelers are planning to approach things differently. For 2025, the Steelers plan to approach things differently. Deep dives will begin once preseason games get started in August, but The Athletic beat writer Mike DeFabo outlined one of the clearest differences shown during spring practices. “What they’re doing during minicamp and OTAs, they’re working on some different coverages and also adding some more blitzes,” DeFabo told 93.7 The Fan’s Joe Starkey and Bob Pompeani Friday. “And one of the coverages that they’ve looked into exploring more, and I dunno if they’re gonna lean fully into this or if this is just gonna be another tool in their toolbox, is more quarters coverage.”
Other Potential Steelers Targets
With nearly $32 million in remaining 2025 salary cap space, even after this offseason’s trade for wideout DK Metcalf, here are five other potential targets that might help Rodgers’ offense as he prepares for his Pittsburgh debut:
- Christian Watson
- Romeo Doubs
- Cole Kmet
Conclusion: A High-Risk, High-Reward Move
Trading for Jalen Ramsey would be a bold move for the Steelers. It would be a significant investment, both in terms of draft capital and salary cap space. However, it could also be the move that transforms their defense into one of the league’s best and propels them to Super Bowl contention.
The Steelers have a history of making splashy moves when they believe they are close to a championship. With Aaron Rodgers in town, the time to strike is now. If they can find a way to make the finances work, Jalen Ramsey in the Steel City could be a match made in heaven.