Jalen Ramsey has featured in a regular debate this offseason regarding the Steelers’ future and where he might fit in. Acquired for a hefty price for a departed coaching regime, do the new coaches see him in the same light? And given how many positions he played last year, what would the plan be going into the season?
All the questions lead up to one other, all-consuming query: is Jalen Ramsey worth the money? Specifically, is he worth the $19.5 million the Steelers would owe him in 2026 were they to leave his contract alone? Would they get nearly $20 million worth of quality play from him, and if not, how close might he come? That depends, partly, on where they ask him to play.
“If you play [Jalen Ramsey] in the correct position, I think he’s worth everything that he’s getting right now”, Mark Kaboly argued recently on 93.7 The Fan. “Are you playing him at safety? No. You play him at slot and whatever he did those first five or six games. I think you just hold onto him. He’s a veteran. He was really good early in the season, and then he petered off a little bit before he had to learn a little bit more of that safety”.
A former All-Pro lockdown cornerback, Jalen Ramsey had gradually transitioned to a more versatile role. Once the Jaguars traded him to the Rams, he started to play more in the slot. That’s where the Steelers initially started him off, and he seemed to be playing well there. Outside of a few lowlights when offenses caught him in man coverage outside, he started the season well enough.
Then the Steelers faced injuries at safety, including a season-ender for DeShon Elliott. They moved Jalen Ramsey to safety, then traded for Kyle Dugger as a second starter. On the whole, he transitioned reasonably well, particularly early on, but perhaps offenses were also adjusting to seeing him there.
As the season progressed, Ramsey’s play leveled off, and we saw some limitations that come with a safety who doesn’t have a lot of mileage in that role. The Steelers didn’t work him there much in the offseason, though he did do some work. But by and large, this was an in-season position move, and that is not easy.
One would hope that with a full offseason, Ramsey would make a cleaner, more successful transition. But do you pay Jalen Ramsey the safety nearly $20 million? For that matter, do you pay that for Jalen Ramsey the mostly slot defender? Of course, he wouldn’t come off the field and would play outside when they’re not in nickel.
Ramsey played every game for the Steelers last season, recording 88 tackles, 4 for loss, with 3 sacks, 1 interception, and 8 passes defensed. While he made the Pro Bowl, it’s fair to question whether he earned it. And whether he did or not, it’s fair to question whether he’s worth as much as the Steelers owe him.
Recommended for you