• Cannot question the Steelers’ urgency not to be complacent after everything fell apart with that five-game losing streak. That was an all-time collapse, and while the franchise didn’t make changes with the head coach, they made A LOT of changes with their roster. New quarterback room, several changes at running back, swapped George Pickens for DK Metcalf, have a two-headed monster at tight end, beefed up the defensive line, added a former All-Pro at cornerback, then swapped two three-time All-Pros today in acquiring Jalen Ramsey and saying goodbye to Minkah Fitzpatrick.
• If the Steelers weren’t going to use Fitzpatrick the right way, they might as well pull off a trade like this. And while there’s concern at safety (Juan Thornhill revival?), cornerback hasn’t been this strong in YEARS.
• I’m not convinced Ramsey won’t take snaps at safety this season. Cornerbacks can often transition there as they age, and Ramsey’s experience of playing inside can help with that.
• My personal opinion: I’d rather have a weakness at safety rather than cornerback. It’s easier to find good safety play than good cornerback play. Elliott is a great example of that. They signed him for two years, $6 million last offseason and was phenomenal. Probably their best defensive back last season. People have every right to miss Minkah, but cornerback is an absolute strength now. That makes the defense better. Also, the big money is better allocated at cornerback than at safety.
• A lot more man coverage this year. A LOT more.
• I don’t know what to make of Jonnu Smith. The Steelers are now going to have to run out of 12 personnel more than anyone else in the league and target him and Pat Freiermuth a ton to make it worth it. This still doesn’t solve having a full-time Z receiver, unless they have more faith in Calvin Austin III than most do or believe Gabe Davis might be an option to sign later on when his knee could be in better shape.
• What’s next? I don’t think the Steelers are done. I still think a WR2 is absolutely in play. Omar Khan still hasn’t parted with one pick in next year’s draft. Anything can happen still.
• People might clamor for Justin Simmons, who remains a free agent. I have yet to get a feel for if the Steelers will be interested, but on the surface, his play really dipped with the Falcons last season. Maybe he'd be better with the cast that’d be surrounding him in Pittsburgh.
• Have yet to see how the cap is impacted. Parting with Minkah certainly allows the Steelers to squeeze Ramsey in. Also, when T.J. Watt is signed to his extension, his cap hit will likely be lower than the $30.4 million it’s currently set to be. So, don’t be worried about how Watt’s new contract will fit in.
• I think the Steelers are, on paper, a better football team now. Stronger at cornerback and another legitimate pass catcher added on offense. Add a WR2, and this is the best chance at competing since 2018.
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THE ASYLUM
Chris Halicke
4:15 pm - 06.30.2025Somewhere in TexasHalicke: Can't question the urgency
About the blockbuster trade ...
• Cannot question the Steelers’ urgency not to be complacent after everything fell apart with that five-game losing streak. That was an all-time collapse, and while the franchise didn’t make changes with the head coach, they made A LOT of changes with their roster. New quarterback room, several changes at running back, swapped George Pickens for DK Metcalf, have a two-headed monster at tight end, beefed up the defensive line, added a former All-Pro at cornerback, then swapped two three-time All-Pros today in acquiring Jalen Ramsey and saying goodbye to Minkah Fitzpatrick.
• If the Steelers weren’t going to use Fitzpatrick the right way, they might as well pull off a trade like this. And while there’s concern at safety (Juan Thornhill revival?), cornerback hasn’t been this strong in YEARS.
• I’m not convinced Ramsey won’t take snaps at safety this season. Cornerbacks can often transition there as they age, and Ramsey’s experience of playing inside can help with that.
• My personal opinion: I’d rather have a weakness at safety rather than cornerback. It’s easier to find good safety play than good cornerback play. Elliott is a great example of that. They signed him for two years, $6 million last offseason and was phenomenal. Probably their best defensive back last season. People have every right to miss Minkah, but cornerback is an absolute strength now. That makes the defense better. Also, the big money is better allocated at cornerback than at safety.
• A lot more man coverage this year. A LOT more.
• I don’t know what to make of Jonnu Smith. The Steelers are now going to have to run out of 12 personnel more than anyone else in the league and target him and Pat Freiermuth a ton to make it worth it. This still doesn’t solve having a full-time Z receiver, unless they have more faith in Calvin Austin III than most do or believe Gabe Davis might be an option to sign later on when his knee could be in better shape.
• What’s next? I don’t think the Steelers are done. I still think a WR2 is absolutely in play. Omar Khan still hasn’t parted with one pick in next year’s draft. Anything can happen still.
• People might clamor for Justin Simmons, who remains a free agent. I have yet to get a feel for if the Steelers will be interested, but on the surface, his play really dipped with the Falcons last season. Maybe he'd be better with the cast that’d be surrounding him in Pittsburgh.
• Have yet to see how the cap is impacted. Parting with Minkah certainly allows the Steelers to squeeze Ramsey in. Also, when T.J. Watt is signed to his extension, his cap hit will likely be lower than the $30.4 million it’s currently set to be. So, don’t be worried about how Watt’s new contract will fit in.
• I think the Steelers are, on paper, a better football team now. Stronger at cornerback and another legitimate pass catcher added on offense. Add a WR2, and this is the best chance at competing since 2018.
Want to participate in our comments?
Want an ad-free experience?
Become a member, and enjoy premium benefits! Make your voice heard on the Steelers, Penguins and Pirates, and hear right back from tens of thousands of fellow Pittsburgh sports fans worldwide! Plus, access all our premium content, including Dejan Kovacevic columns, Friday Insider, daily Live Qs with the staff, more! And yeah, that's right, no ads at all!
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