A year ago with the New York Jets, Aaron Rodgers was thrust into a season with "Super Bowl-or-bust" pressure. It appears to be the same scenario for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
With the trade for veteran cornerback Jalen Ramsey on Monday morning, the Steelers reiterated they aren't building for the future. They are building for right now. Pittsburgh acquired Ramsey and tight end Jonnu Smith from the Miami Dolphins in exchange for five-time Pro Bowl safety Minkah Fitzpatrick.
The move continues an urgent trend this offseason: The Steelers and General Manager Omar Khan are going for it.
The new pairing of Ramsey and cornerback Darius Slay gives the Steelers two of the best cornerbacks to play in the NFL over the last 10 years. But — as with most make-or-break experiments — the question is are the Steelers merely chasing ghosts?
Ramsey hasn't been an All-Pro since 2021. He missed the Pro Bowl last season for the first time since 2016, managing only two interceptions. Slay led the NFL in interceptions in 2017, while Rodgers hasn't played at an elite level since 2021.
"I’m pretty sure this is it," said Rodgers, who will turn 42 this season, of his retirement plan. "That’s why we just did a one-year deal. The Steelers didn’t need to put any extra years."
Khan, Tomlin and the Steelers are hoping to squeeze one more year out of these acquired grizzled veterans. Or else.