Fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers have long expressed a desire for change within the organization. Whether or not they agree with the recent decisions made by general manager Omar Khan and head coach Mike Tomlin, it’s clear that the franchise is embracing a new direction. The latest unexpected move came earlier this week when the Steelers traded Minkah Fitzpatrick to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for cornerback Jalen Ramsey and tight end Jonnu Smith.
Renowned analyst Brian Baldinger weighed in on this trade, declaring that the Steelers emerged as the winners. On a recent episode of The Best Football Show, Baldinger stated, “I feel like the Steelers won this trade.” He elaborated on the potential of their revamped secondary, highlighting how Ramsey's versatility allows him to play the star position inside, while Darius Slay can take the left corner and Joey Porter Jr. can handle the right corner. He even noted that Beanie Bishop Jr. could serve as a capable fourth corner if necessary.
The addition of Ramsey significantly enhances the Steelers' secondary, which already boasted an impressive duo in Porter and Slay. With Beanie Bishop holding down the nickel corner position prior to the trade, the Steelers now face a unique challenge of integrating their cornerbacks effectively. However, this is a favorable dilemma to have, especially considering Ramsey's ability to adapt to various positions.
Things could become even more complex if Ramsey transitions to safety, a position that has seen a decline in performance with Fitzpatrick's departure. While DeShon Elliott and Juan Thornhill could form a solid safety duo, the discussions about Ramsey moving to safety arise, particularly given his age of 31. Transitioning to safety is a common career move for many cornerbacks as they age, potentially extending their playing careers, although it is not without challenges.
Baldinger also pointed out that the Steelers may not have been receiving elite safety play from Fitzpatrick. “He’s been a great player,” Baldinger remarked, “but honestly, he’s got one takeaway in the last two years.” This lack of production likely influenced Pittsburgh’s decision to trade him, despite Fitzpatrick being a recognizable face of the franchise. Baldinger even went so far as to say, “Let’s face it. Pittsburgh’s best safety last year was DeShon Elliott.”
While it might be a stretch to claim that Elliott currently outperforms Fitzpatrick overall, he undoubtedly excels in several areas, particularly against the run. This skill set will be crucial if Ramsey transitions to safety, as he is known for his coverage abilities but struggled with tackling last season, missing 14.3% of his attempts—a career high.
Thornhill, who previously found success with the Kansas City Chiefs, had a challenging season with the Cleveland Browns last year. Elliott's prowess in run defense could help mitigate some of the gaps in Thornhill’s performance, should Ramsey indeed shift to safety.
As the dust settles from this trade, fans and analysts alike are eager to see whether the Steelers truly secured a win in this deal. There are compelling reasons to believe that they improved their secondary, as suggested by Baldinger. With Ramsey's superior pass defense and versatility, the Steelers' defensive coaches, Mike Tomlin and Teryl Austin, will have a plethora of options at their disposal as they prepare for the upcoming season.
