Editor’s note: From now until reporting day to training camp at Saint Vincent College, TribLive is running through the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 90-man roster, looking at each player and assessing his outlook for the 2026 season. The breakdown will run in alphabetical order with two players each day between June 13 and July 28. Contract data courtesy spotrac.com.
CB JALEN RAMSEY
Experience/age: 11th season, 31
Contract status: $17.2 million cap hit in 2026, signed through 2028
The past: Ramsey earned his eighth Pro Bowl nod in his first year with the Steelers. But the former All-Pro cornerback’s role changed around Week 8 last season when DeShon Elliott suffered a season-ending knee injury. Out of necessity, coaches shift Ramsey to safety. The 6-foot-1, 211-pounder made 88 tackles (53 solo) with four tackles for loss, one interception and a career-high three sacks. His missed-tackle rate of 5.6% tied his previous career best, according to Pro Football Focus, which gave him high grades as both a run defender (85.0) and tackler (85.3). He drew career-low grades from PFF analytics for overall defense (65.8) and pass coverage (59.7) on a 100-point scale.
The Steelers acquired Ramsey in a January 2025 trade that sent safety Minkah Fitzpatrick to the Dolphins. Ramsey played 1,104 defensive snaps last season, second on the team only to linebacker Patrick Queen. His snap total tied for third most league-wide among defensive backs. Ramsey is a three-time AP All-Pro selection (2017, ’20 and ’21) and has started 151 of 152 career games while making 622 tackles and 25 interceptions.
No. 82 on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2026…@Steelers CB Jalen Ramsey! @NFLFilms pic.twitter.com/uU5Rr2F7cy
— NFL (@NFL) July 3, 2026
2026 outlook: Steelers coaches have suggested that Ramsey might play a variety of roles this season, going so far as comparing him to how the Packers once used future Hall of Famer Charles Woodson. Ramsey’s primary position is likely slot corner, but he might see snaps throughout the secondary. Woodson’s career was rejuvenated in his early 30s when he joined the Packers under coach Mike McCarthy. He earned first- or second-team All-Pro honors four consecutive seasons, won a Super Bowl and was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2009. The 31-year-old Ramsey might have an opportunity to do something similar, now playing under some of Woodson’s former coaches.
The Steelers bolstered their defensive back depth since last season by adding cornerback Jamel Dean and safety Jaquan Brisker as veteran free agents. That newfound depth could allow the new coaching staff to get more creative with Ramsey. He played the most snaps last season at free safety (419) and slot corner (353) after playing primarily as a wide corner during his first 10 seasons.