Steelers Bet Big on Jalen Ramsey, and the Verdict Still Hangs in Balance

Last summer, Pittsburgh Steelersgeneral manager Omar Khanmade a major trade by acquiring Jalen Ramsey and Jonnu Smith from the Miami Dolphins. The Steelers expected Smith to be a big piece of their passing game, while Ramsey brought inside-outside cornerback flexibility. Pittsburgh sent Minkah Fitzpatrick to Miami as part of the deal. Still, it felt like the Steelers won that side of the trade, since Ramsey could play all over the secondary. A year later, the Ramsey side of the trade remains a work in progress. The Smith side didn't pan out, he's now a free agent following his release.

Khan has been notably more aggressive than his predecessor. Not all of his trades and free-agency moves have worked out, but he's brought a refreshing change from the Steelers' previously conservative approach. If one trade still feels polarizing a year later, though, it's the Ramsey-Smith-Fitzpatrick deal.

Ramsey Trade Could Still Pan Out Well

Ramsey may not be an elite cornerback anymore. That much was clear when the Cincinnati Bengals torched him on Thursday Night Football. To be fair, very few corners can cover Ja'Marr Chase one-on-one. But injuries and the abrupt release of Juan Thornhill eventually forced Ramsey into the free safety role, which greatly reduced his impact on the defense. It didn't help that his defensive coordinator was Teryl Austin.

Now, Patrick Graham leads Ramsey and the Steelers defense, and he's already shown a clear commitment to using Ramsey as a chess piece. Austin tried that approach too, but kept setting Ramsey up to fail. Graham's tendency to avoid tying himself to one scheme should also support that vision. So while the Ramsey trade didn't deliver the strong impact the Steelers anticipated in 2025, the sweeping changes coming in 2026 give it new life.

Jonnu Smith Failure a Product of Arthur Smith

Arthur Smith, his longtime coach, failed Jonnu Smith. Arthur couldn't replicate the success he'd previously had with Jonnu in Tennessee and Atlanta. That's puzzling, since Jonnu was at his best with the Dolphins as a downfield receiving threat. Instead, Arthur used him more as a gadget player and screen-play carrier — a baffling approach from the veteran offensive coordinator.

In the 2026 offseason, the Steelers parted ways with both Smiths, easily the most disappointing part of the trade. Many fans might argue Fitzpatrick's departure stung more, but that's debatable given how poorly the Steelers used Jonnu. The Dolphins traded Fitzpatrick to the New York Jets this offseason, and Smith is now a free agent.

It all goes to show that even a trade that looks like a home run amounts to nothing if the staff on hand isn't prepared to maximize the players' talents.