Jalen Ramsey made headlines during his first media session as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers, and it wasn’t just because of his talent or excitement to join the team.
In a subtle yet telling comment, Ramsey referred to the Steelers, not the Los Angeles Rams, as the first “storied franchise” he’s ever played for. A remark that, intentionally or not, appeared to diminish the prestige of the Rams, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Miami Dolphins, two of his other previous teams.
Jalen Ramsey Disses Rams with “Storied Franchise” Remark About Steelers
Ramsey, who joined the Steelers in a blockbuster trade that sent safety Minkah Fitzpatrick back to the Dolphins, made it clear that he views this next chapter of his career as something special.
“I’m excited for everything that has to do with this organization,” he said. “This is a storied franchise. Obviously, I won a Super Bowl, loved my time with the L.A. Rams, but I can’t say I’ve played for a storied franchise like this yet. So this is very exciting for me. I’m just embracing all of it, really.”
The statement drew attention not just for Ramsey’s praise of Pittsburgh but for what it seemed to say between the lines about his past teams, especially for the Rams, who had reportedly considered trading to reacquire him earlier this offseason.
Storied Tradition vs. Recent Success: Who Has the Edge?
Ramsey’s remark brings into focus the age-old debate in sports: legacy vs. recent success. When it comes to tradition, few NFL franchises can compete with the Steelers. With six Super Bowl titles, an iconic brand of football, and a decorated Hall of Fame list, the Steelers undeniably qualify as a “storied franchise.”
But while Pittsburgh may own the historical edge, the Rams have been one of the league’s most successful teams in recent years. Since hiring Sean McVay in 2017, the Rams have made the playoffs six times in eight seasons, reached two Super Bowls, and won one. In that span, they’ve gone 8-5 in the postseason.
The Steelers, meanwhile, haven’t won a playoff game since the 2016 season and a Super Bowl since 2008. To add on, they’re 0-5 in the playoffs since 2017. While head coach Mike Tomlin has never had a losing season, Pittsburgh hasn’t been a serious Super Bowl contender in nearly a decade.
That contrast in recent performance is part of what makes Ramsey’s quote so intriguing. He played a star role in the Rams’ championship run and has been a key player in one of the NFL’s most feared defenses in the past decade as a member of Sacksonville with the Jaguars. Yet, the Steelers are a more “exciting” organization.
While Ramsey may not have intended the comment as a diss, his words nonetheless fired up a conversation among fans. Whether the Steelers can return to their championship ways during his tenure remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: there will be some bad blood between Rams fans and Ramsey.
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