Steelers’ Jalen Ramsey Embracing Safety Role Is A Game-Changer

Versatility is the backbone of modern NFL defenses, and it’s something the Pittsburgh Steelers have always valued. In newly-acquired defensive back Jalen Ramsey, the team hasn’t just landed an elite corner; it has found a player who openly welcomes evolution. Long before he arrived in Pittsburgh, Ramsey made it clear he’d be open to transitioning to safety later in his career, now that mindset might become reality. And it could elevate the Steelers’ secondary to new heights.

Four years ago, Ramsey first stated it on the Million Dollaz Worth of Game podcast. He fully explained this idea clearly during an interview in July of 2021.

“I wouldn’t have no problems moving to safety,” Ramsey said.

At the time, Ramsey was in the heart of his prime with the Los Angeles Rams. It would have been easy to brush this off as a hypothetical comment or vague future projection, but he wasn’t just talking. He meant it. That sort of awareness is rare in a star player and even rarer in one who has dominated at his natural position. 

For the Steelers, a team that thrives on developing smart, physical defenders with positional range, Ramsey’s willingness to evolve adds another layer to what’s already a high-level acquisition.

“At some point in my career, if it takes me there to safety, I would want to do that as well… I wouldn’t have no problems moving to safety. I love corner right now. The corner money’s better. I’m cool where I’m at.”

Ramsey loves playing corner. He’s confident in what he brings to the table and has earned top-tier compensation doing it. But second, and more important for Pittsburgh, he’s not resistant to change. He’s not the type to cling to a position past its prime. He’s already laid the groundwork mentally to adjust when the time comes, and that gives the Steelers long-term flexibility when building out their defensive structure.

Ramsey turns 31 this October. And while he’s still playing at a high level, the reality is that cornerbacks often begin to lose half a step entering their 30s. That’s where a move to safety becomes less of a fallback plan and more of a calculated career progression. With Ramsey, the Steelers don’t have to guess if he’d embrace the role; they know he will because he’s already said so.

In 2024, Ramsey logged 60 total tackles, 11 passes defensed, two interceptions, and four quarterback hits. Those numbers show he hasn’t lost his edge physically, but they also show a defender who thrives at reading plays and making contact, skills essential for a free or strong safety role.

The Steelers aren’t strangers to moving players across positions to maximize value. Ramsey’s frame (6-foot-1, 208 pounds), experience, and intelligence make him a perfect candidate for this type of role. Whether they need him in the slot against big-bodied tight ends or roaming center field to help disguise coverages, the options are there. 

Because Ramsey has publicly welcomed the idea of playing safety, the Steelers’ coaching staff won’t be working against ego. Instead, they’ll be building on transparency. Ramsey has already done the mental work to prepare himself for that shift’s just a matter of when the team needs it.

Steelers’ Versatility Focuses On Matchups Over Labels

The Steelers didn’t just get a Pro Bowl corner when they acquired Ramsey along with Jonnu Smith; they got a player with vision. A player who sees the evolution of his career not as a limitation, but as a new challenge. His willingness to play safety isn’t just a back-pocket option; it’s an active part of his future. And for Pittsburgh, that could be the most valuable trait of all.