The Pittsburgh Steelers’ trade for Jalen Ramsey was stunning not because they acquired the All-Pro cornerback, but because they traded their other All-Pro defensive back, Minkah Fitzpatrick.
Fitzpatrick was a star free safety for the team, but the Steelers did not get splash plays out of him after they made him the highest-paid safety in the NFL after he became a superstar following the team’s trade for him in 2019.
Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette says it is Fitzpatrick’s price tag and his lack of splash plays that made the Steelers move off him in the deal. On top of that, they were not actively looking to trade him, but the right offer came up with Ramsey and Jonnu Smith, which the Steelres considered attractive.
“Steelers were not actively trying to trade Minkah Fitzpatrick, but they were willing to listen to any team who showed interest. They felt the absence of splash plays the past two years was not commensurate with what they were paying him,” Dulac said.
Ramsey now enters his age-31 season, but the Steelers will likely use him as a chess piece who plays safety, slot cornerback, and outside cornerback whenever asked by the team.
That versatility will allow the Steelers to have Joey Porter Jr., Darius Slay, and Ramsey all on the field simultaneously in a way they could not execute beforehand.
Meanwhile, Fitzpatrick returns to the team that drafted him and will become the star safety for the Dolphins, who badly needed help in their secondary.
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