Steelers Now
Former Pro Bowl safety Donte Whitner recently offered a harsher perspective on Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Jalen Ramsey. And while Ramsey remains one of the most accomplished veterans on the roster, the sand in his hourglass may be running low, and his role with the Steelers could be much less secure than many fans want to acknowledge.
“They moved Jalen Ramsey from corner to safety. Everybody can’t make that transition because it takes a different skillset,” Whitner said. “The angles that you approach the ball carrier are different. The footwork and the efficiency in the middle of the field and the deep half and in the quarter of the field is different. The communication is enormous at the safety position.”
Whitner’s assessment may sound harsh, but there is at least some evidence to support it. Ramsey’s move to safety felt more like a necessity than a luxury. He struggled at times in coverage while playing in the nickel, and once DeShon Elliott went down with an injury, Juan Thornhill failed to provide a reliable answer on the back end. The Steelers needed experience, and Ramsey gave them that.
This season, however, the situation looks much different. Elliott is expected to return healthy, the Steelers added Jaquan Brisker in free agency, and veteran Darnell Savage gives them another experienced option at safety. Injuries are always possible, especially considering Brisker’s concussion history and Elliott coming off an injury, but on paper there is simply less urgency to rely on Ramsey as a full-time safety.
The picture becomes even more crowded when looking at cornerback. Joey Porter Jr. emerged as one of the NFL’s better young corners in 2025, while Jamel Dean brings valuable experience and versatility to play both outside and in the slot. Asante Samuel Jr. and Brandin Echols have both proven they can handle significant defensive snaps, and the Steelers also invested a third-round pick in Georgia corner Daylen Everett, another young player they will want to develop.
None of this takes away from what Ramsey has accomplished. He is a seven-time Pro Bowler, a three-time first-team All-Pro, and one of the most respected defensive backs of his generation. Even if he is no longer the shutdown corner he once was, his football IQ, versatility, and leadership still carry value.
The bigger question is whether that value matches his contract and projected role. Ramsey is still playing under a four-year, $84 million deal, making him one of the highest-paid defensive backs in football. At the same time, Joey Porter Jr. is waiting for what could be a massive contract extension after establishing himself as the Steelers’ future at cornerback. With Pittsburgh already facing long-term salary cap challenges, every dollar committed to an aging veteran is crucial especially if his role is diminishing.
Ramsey should still have a meaningful role in Pittsburgh’s defense, but it may not be the every-down role many envisioned when he arrived. If Whitner is right and the transition to safety isn’t as seamless as many believe,...
