Steelers Now
Despite big changes, Pro Football Focus still thinks the Pittsburgh Steelers’ secondary is mediocre. In PFF’s annual position rankings, Pittsburgh’s secondary came in at No. 16.
“The trade for Jalen Ramsey brings a true superstar to Pittsburgh’s secondary, but the loss of Minkah Fitzpatrick leaves a massive void at safety,” John Kosko of PFF wrote. “DeShon Elliott is coming off his best season with a 71.1 grade, though it’s his only year grading above 70.0. Juan Thornhill, another offseason addition, has already shown signs of decline. The cornerback group, led by Ramsey, Darius Slay and Joey Porter Jr., should be a strength, but the secondary overall leans heavily on aging veterans with little young talent to provide a spark.”
Fitzpatrick’s play has been declining, but he’s still one of the best safeties in the NFL.
Fitzpatrick had six interceptions in 2022 (tied for first in the NFL) and had 11 over his first three seasons in Pittsburgh. He also had three forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries from 2019-21. Over his first four seasons, he had 24 splash plays over 51 games.
Over the last two seasons, he had just one interception, no forced fumbles and no fumble recoveries over 27 games. Given what the Steelers were dishing out, Fitzpatrick was not living up to his contract.
The Steelers don’t have a clear-cut answer in replacing Fitzpatrick, however. Maybe Juan Thornhill will step up into a starting role or Jalen Ramsey will move to safety. They could also go the free agent route. All-Pro Justin Simmons is still available.
Ramsey, 30, has been one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL over the last decade. He is a three-time first-team All-Pro in 2017, 2020 and 2021, and a seven-time Pro Bowler from 2017-23. He won Super Bowl LVI with the Los Angeles Rams after the 2021 season.
Initially drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft out of Florida State, Ramsey has now been traded three times, first to the Rams in 2019, then to the Dolphins in 2023 and now to the Steelers.
The Steelers are hoping that Ramsey will bring more splash plays for the Steelers. They also hope Ramsey and veteran Darius Slay can get Joey Porter Jr.’s career back on track.
Slay revealed in his interview with Mina Kimes that he wants to not only help fix Joey Porter Jr.’s issues with penalties, but also improve his game in the interceptions department. Porter has only two INTs through his first two seasons.
“They say he can’t catch, but we’re gonna fix that,” Slay told Kimes. “We’re gonna catch the rock this year.”
Slay has recorded 28 interceptions in his decorated career. The 34-year-old cornerback is a Super Bowl champion, eight-time Pro Bowler and has a first-team All-Pro selection (2017) under his belt. Slay hopes to give Porter and the Steelers young cornerbacks he same wisdom that he passed down to Philadelphia Eagles rookie cornerbacks Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell last...
