The Pittsburgh Steelers hyped former All-Pro defensive back Jalen Ramsey for his versatility after they acquired him over the summer. The Steelers are now putting that versatility to the test.
After splitting his time between outside and slot cornerback to begin the season, the team has begun deploying Ramsey primarily at safety. That’s where he lined up for 70 of his 77 defensive snaps in Week 9 according to Pro Football Focus.
The Steelers will again use Ramsey at safety against the Los Angeles Chargers during Week 10. The seven-time Pro Bowler addressed his position change in front of reporters Friday.
“I guess you could say maybe it brings like a renewed energy for me, just because playing corner for 10 years, you kind of learn the game, and it kind of becomes same old, same old, same old every day,” Ramsey told reporters, via TribLive.com’s Chris Adamski. “Not to say I wasn’t learning, trying to continue to grow it in that role.
“But at safety, now I’m just in the meetings and things like that, I’m learning kind of new things … different ways to look at the game from the safety’s point of view.
Ramsey will start at safety again in Week 10 with veteran starting safety DeShon Elliott on injured reserve. Elliott will be out at least two more games but could miss the remainder of the 2025 season.
Steelers’ Jalen Ramsey Embracing Move to Safety
A three-time first-team All-Pro defensive back, Ramsey has played all over the secondary during his career. But he has never previously lined up primarily as a safety.
Last Sunday was the first time in his NFL career that Ramsey basically only played safety.
“It’s definitely new, for sure,” Ramsey told reporters. “Before last week, I think the last time I played safety for a full game was like my freshman year in college, so however many years ago that was. Thirteen or something like that.
“So, it’s been a while. It’s definitely not like riding a bike. Tough, but fun. I mean I love football, so all pieces of it, I enjoy and try to embrace.”
With three safeties sidelined in Week 9, the Steelers needed Ramsey at safety. The team started veteran Kyle Dugger next to Ramsey at the other safety spot. Dugger had just joined the Steelers a few days prior to the start, and he played all but one defensive snap.
The band-aid safety tandem worked, as the Steelers held the No. 1 scoring offense to just 20 points while forcing six turnovers.
Ramsey Following in Rod Woodson’s Footsteps?
Ramsey is currently playing safety out of need. However, the position change could work to extend the 31-year-old’s career.
That’s what happened for former Steelers cornerback Rod Woodson. After five All-Pro seasons at cornerback, Woodson transitioned to safety with the Baltimore Ravens.
In 2000, Woodson made second-team All-Pro during his second year as a starting safety. He also earned a first-team All-Pro nomination at safety in 2002 at 37 years old.
Woodson led the NFL with eight interceptions during 2002.
“That would probably be a nice blueprint,” Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin said of Ramsey following Woodson’s path to safety. “I was aware of it and saw how well it could go.
“Obviously, because, you know, Rod, Hall of Fame, great player, great dude. So, I’m sure he was aware of that. I was aware of that as well.”
Ramsey turned 31 years old in October. While that’s considered old for a cornerback, Ramsey could continue playing at a high level for several more years if he successfully transitions to safety.
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