Steelers Receive Bad Update on Potential Jalen Ramsey Blockbuster Trade

General manager Omar Khan has proven to be aggressive when he identifies a veteran that can fill a hole for the Pittsburgh Steelers. That and the trade rumors surrounding cornerback Jalen Ramsey have given Steelers fans hope that the team could target the former All-Pro next.

At the end of this week, though, ESPN’s Adam Schefter threw cold water on the idea of Ramsey coming to Pittsburgh.

While appearing on The Pat McAfee Show on Friday, Schefter said Ramsey will be traded. But he expects the cornerback to play on the West Coast in 2025.

Schefter made no mention of the Steelers — whether they were pursuing Ramsey or if the cornerback is interested in Pittsburgh.

“The Dolphins continue to have conversations about trading Jalen Ramsey, and I think that a trade there will get done,” Schefter told McAfee. “The question is, when does it get done? Does it get done next week, the week after, prior to the start of training camp?

“I don’t know exactly when it’s gonna be, but Jalen Ramsey will get traded. It’ll be, I would expect, before the start of training camp.

“We’ll see how it shakes out, where he goes. I think he would like to go to the West Coast, to the Los Angeles Chargers, somewhere like that. And we’ll see how that happens.”

ESPN’s Adam Schefter Proposes Jalen Ramsey Landing Spots

“Somewhere like that” is a very general term. Due to culture, location, and size, most Americans probably wouldn’t consider Pittsburgh a place “like” Los Angeles.

In the NFL, though, maybe one could currently link the Steelers to the Los Angeles Rams and Chargers. All three teams were playoff teams last year and could use a starting cornerback upgrade.

But if Ramsey is truly set on playing with a West Coast team, the Steelers are obviously out.

The writing appears to be on the wall, especially given Schefter, again, didn’t bring the Steelers into the conversation.

It’s important to note that Schefter’s comments weren’t part of a report; it was more of his opinion. But Schefter’s insider opinion holds more water than most, and he doesn’t seem to expect the Steelers to acquire Ramsey.

Steelers CB Depth Entering Training Camp

Pittsburgh’s cornerback room has been a topic of discussion since the end of the team’s minicamp last week. Part of why is because the team went the veteran route this offseason with 34-year-old Darius Slay to start opposite Joey Porter Jr.

Pundits have questioned whether Slay’s age makes it a good idea he starts on Pittsburgh’s defense in 2025. Analysts have also argued the Steelers could use an upgrade over Beanie Bishop Jr. at slot cornerback.

Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox called Pittsburgh a potential landing spot for veteran nickel cornerback Mike Hilton.

Ramsey is an older cornerback as well. He will turn 31 years old in October. But he is a three-time first-team All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowler. Ramsey last made the Pro Bowl during the 2023 season.

Slay also made his most recent Pro Bowl in 2023. He’s a former All-Pro as well although he last made the NFL All-Pro team in 2017.

Besides Porter, Slay and Bishop, the Steelers have eight other cornerbacks on their offseason roster — Brandin Echols, James Pierre, Donte Kent, D’Shawn Jamison, Quindell Johnson, Cameron McCutcheon, Kyler McMichael and Cory Trice Jr.