“I’m overly in Joey’s corner. Joey needs to get compensated for being a valuable part of this secondary and a valuable part of this defense and team,” Ramsey said. This is a camaraderie between cornerbacks it seems.

Ramsey and Porter are arguably one of the best cornerback duos in the NFL. For Pittsburgh, it’s important to have them both, and even coach Mike McCarthy has stated that he’d love to coach Porter.

Ramsey is coming back from PUP list, Porter is still on PUP list

Ramsey is just coming back after being in the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. He is now back in training after overcoming a knee injury that had him sidelined. Those are great news.

However, Porter is still on the PUP list as he is dealing with a reaggravated back injury. That, paired to the contract impasse that him and the Steelers are involved in, and the situation is really cloudy right now.

The Steelers defense should be a top unit

New defensive coordinator Patrick Graham has a lot of talent to work with and if this defensive unit stays healthy, this should be a top-tier defense that surely ranks in the top 10. The lineup should be like this:

• DE – Derrick Harmon
• NT – Yahya Black
• DT – Cam Heyward
• LOLB – TJ Watt
• LILB – Patrick Queen
• RILB – Payton Wilson
• ROLB – Alex Highsmith
• CB – Joey Porter Jr.
• SS – DeShon Elliott
• FS – Jaquan Brisker
• CB – Jalen Ramsey

During mandatory minicamp practices in Steel City, the cornerback suffered a significant knee injury that forced him to remain on the sideline ever since. His return is a very welcome development for the Steelers’ secondary.

Iheanachor’s situation is a bit more recent and not as serious. The rookie suffered neck and shoulder discomfort, which was enough to sideline him for the Steelers’ first two preseason games. Fortunately, he is now back and available to the coaching staff.

Pittsburgh practices with most of its key players

The alarms went off in Pittsburgh when two key players for Aaron Rodgers on offense were dealing with injuries. Michael Pittman Jr. suffered a minor hamstring issue during an early-August practice, while DK Metcalf was sidelined with an undisclosed injury.

Fortunately for A-Rod, both receivers were able to return to practice alongside the rest of their Steelers teammates. McCarthy can breathe a sigh of relief, as barring any setbacks, both players are expected to be ready for the Week 1 opener.

Ramsey looks to repeat his 2025 season

Matching what he did last season would be great. Improving those numbers would be even better. Jalen Ramsey played all 17 games in 2025, recording 88 tackles, eight passes defended, one interception, and 3.0 sacks.

Alongside Jamel Dean, both players will look to stay in rhythm and execute the nickel formations that have produced positive results for the Steelers. McCarthy will undoubtedly have that option in mind from the season opener.

According to Mike DeFabo of The Athletic, Jalen Ramsey assures that Ja’Marr Chase spit on him, and that’s what prompted his reaction to punch the Bengals All-Pro receiver. However, Chase said on the locker room interviews that he didn’t spit on Ramsey, it’s a matter of their word pitted against each other. An up-close video of the altercation, however, does show a moment where Chase appears to spit on Ramsey just before punch is thrown.

It was a great game by the Steelers secondary, including Ramsey who had two tackles. The secondary only allowed 192 passing yards to the Bengals, that usually is a high-octane, proficient-scoring offense.

It was a frustrating outing for Ja’Marr Chase

Usually an unstoppable force, this was not a good game for Chase. He only caught three of 10 targets for 30 yards. Chase, weirdly, was a non-factor. Hence, the Bengals only scored 12 points in the game. The Steelers defense dominated and Chase got frustrated.

This is his third worst-mark of the season. Chase had only two catches for 26 yards in Week 1 and five catches for 23 yards in Week 4. This game also stops a run of five games with at least six catches and 91 or more receiving yards for Chase.

The Steelers needed this win badly

Just one month ago, the Steelers lost a shootout to the Bengals in primetime. Now, not only did they get the revenge on a divisional rival, but they pretty much shut down all of the Bengals offense, which is no easy feat.

Also, they now climb to a 6-4 record that keeps them atop of the AFC North. Winning the division guarantees the Steelers a home playoff game. Hence, it was a vital win to get as we enter the last stretch of the season.

Although some of his teammates, like Joey Porter Jr., pointed out that the referees allowed a lot of contact by the Bengals’ wide receivers, Ramsey was clear and said there are no excuses for what happened as a unit.

“I have to play better when the opportunity is there. F— the calls. Don’t worry about that. We have to play better, starting with myself when the opportunity presents itself. That’s part of the game. You have receivers that are superstars in the league. You know that they get away with stuff like that. It is what it is. Next play. You got to play the game. You got to execute when you get the opportunity to execute.”

Why did the Pittsburgh Steelers lose to the Cincinnati Bengals?

The Pittsburgh Steelers lost to the Cincinnati Bengals mainly because their defense couldn’t stop the attack led by Joe Flacco. With only 10 days with Cincinnati, the veteran threw for 342 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Additionally, with a 31-30 lead and just over two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, the defense couldn’t make the crucial stop and allowed Chase and Higgins to seal the game with two key receptions.

As if that weren’t enough, Chase Brown rushed for over 100 yards against a defensive line that includes star names like Cam Heyward, T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, and Derrick Harmon. A disaster very similar to the one in last year’s playoffs in Baltimore.

The Pittsburgh Steelers fell to 4-2 after losing on Thursday Night Football against the Cincinnati Bengals. One of the stories of the game was All Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey getting constantly burned by the opposing wide receivers.

Of course, fans on social media were not happy with Ramsey, who is supposed to be a lockdown defender for the Steelers. However, it was not his best game. User Bask posted, “In a game with two 40-year-old QBs… Ramsey the only one who looked washed.“

User Kyle posted, “Jalen Ramsey, time to get that podcast mic ready,” indicating his career could very well be over after that game. User June_NYC posted, “Jalen Ramsey still collecting game checks because he was good 5 years ago.”

Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins have a history of getting the better of Ramsey

Let’s take a trip down memory lane to the 2021 Super Bowl. Joe Burrow and the Bengals were there, so was Ramsey playing for the opposing team, the Los Angeles Rams. Now, the Rams won the game, but Ramsey saw Chase and Higgins beat him plenty of times.

In fact, Higgins scored twice and one was on Ramsey. After the play shown above, Ramsey must have seen ghosts of what happened back in the day. Even worse for him, he still needs to face the Bengals one more time this season.

The Steelers are still atop the AFC North

Pittsburgh is still the only team above .500 in the division. However, the team just lost a game to its closest competition. The schedule is not easy for the Steelers to be honest. Next week, Sunday Night Football presents Packers vs Steelers which is a tough game. Then, they host the 5-1 Colts, they visit the 4-2 Chargers, and then host the Bengals again.

Down the line they face all the teams over .500 except for the Dolphins and the Ravens. However, the Ravens are the Steelers’ biggest rivals and Lamar Jackson is no easy feat. Hence, the Steelers must not get too complacent.

Things are getting chirpy in the game between the New York Jets and the Pittsburgh Steelers. After a late hit against quarterback Justin Fields, the next play saw Jets wideout Garrett Wilson getting some revenge on cornerback Jalen Ramsey. Needless to say, the emotions are getting very heated at MetLife Stadium.

The Jets have been putting on an offensive gameplan that has surprised the Steelers. Hence, Pittsburgh’s defensive players are getting frustrated. However, that doesn’t mean that Jets players will just take the hits and not react. This game has plenty of debuts, and a quarterback battle between two signal-callers seeking revenge against former teams.

The first half saw both teams combining for 38 points. Both offenses were able to move the chains. This is sort of great news for both teams, who suffered quite a bit offensively in 2024. However, both teams had their defenses being very good units, but have looked bad.

Aside from Ramsey and Wilson, this game has had a lot of other skirmishes. Lots of late hits, including TJ Watt trucking Fields who didn’t have the ball. Also, Connor Heyward tackled a Jets player after a punt.

The quarterbacks’ duel has been great

Rodgers and Fields have been making these offenses look other worldly. The teams are fancying their new chances with their new quarterbacks. Both sides have put the game in their hands and they are battling.

Fields is exploding with his movement and agility, while Rodgers’ poise and ability to read defenses has proven to be effective. The fact that both quarterbacks know their former defenses is also key to how effective they’ve played.

The Steelers have made several changes on both sides of the ball for the 2025 NFL season. The biggest one is obviously the arrival of Aaron Rodgers to the offense, but the defense has also been bolstered recently.

In a shocking trade with the Dolphins, the Steelers acquired Jalen Ramsey. The cornerback has not delivered remarkable seasons lately, yet he is determined to change that with the AFC North club.

Jalen Ramsey slams the Dolphins after joining Aaron Rodgers’ Steelers

The Steelers’ defense received a huge boost for the 2025 NFL season. Jalen Ramsey was traded from the Dolphins to Pittsburgh this year in a move not many fans anticipated.

During his tenure with Miami, Jalen Ramsey had decent seasons, but nothing extraordinary. For this reason, the Dolphins decided to find a trade partner to free up salary-cap space.

Before the trade, Ramsey requested a new deal from the Dolphins, which the club rejected. Upon his arrival in Pittsburgh, the cornerback received a lucrative contract he is very grateful for.

Jalen Ramsey signed a four-year, $84.7 million deal with the Steelers. The cornerback has since thanked Pittsburgh’s general manager Omar Khan for the commitment, throwing shade at the Dolphins for refusing to give him one at the time.

“Man, got a lot of respect for you Mr. Omar,” Ramsey said. “Taken care of me, TJ, Slay. Cam is next. We excited man. We got potential to do something great if we got all our guys out there happy and feeling like they’re valued. I know a little something about feeling valued and getting what you deserve. I’m with you, I’m with you.”

Week 15, a chance for revenge for Jalen Ramsey

This year, not only will Aaron Rodgers face his former team, the New York Jets, in the Steelers’ season debut — Jalen Ramsey will also have a chance at revenge in Week 15.

The Steelers are set to face the Dolphins in Week 15 on Monday Night Football. The duel is scheduled for December 15 at 8:15 p.m. ET, giving Ramsey an opportunity to prove his former team wrong for letting him go.

“There are not a whole lot of conversations. Jaylen’s going to get it (laughs). Some people may hate it and I love that competitive spirit in the collective, but I think it’s already been decided.”

Aiming to win the Super Bowl, one of the positions the Steelers decided to strengthen in free agency was cornerback. For that reason, general manager Omar Khan let go of Minkah Fitzpatrick to bring in Jalen Ramsey through that trade, and a few weeks ago, he had already signed Darius Slay, who was a champion last season with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Who is Steelers’ top cornerback?

Jalen Ramsey is the top cornerback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, something officially confirmed by Mike Tomlin. There had been some uncertainty about who would hold that spot on the depth chart, considering other names like Joey Porter Jr. and Darius Slay.

In fact, a reporter asked Tomlin if the player who complained about not facing Mike Evans was Porter. “You can name whoever you want to name. You know, competitive young people want the matchup, but it’s already been decided.”

The AFC North is shaping up to be even more competitive than it was last season, and none of its four teams are leaving anything to chance. Strengthening both sides of the field could be the key to gaining an edge in one of the league’s toughest divisions.

If there’s one thing Tomlin understands, it’s that bringing in a player of Ramsey’s caliber — someone who combines elite physical traits with experience and leadership — can have a major impact on the way the game unfolds.

As teams begin making their first moves in preparation for the upcoming season, the veteran head coach took a moment to speak with the media for the first time about the arrival of the former Dolphins star to his roster.

“He’s long, he’s fast, he’s combative,” Steelers’ HC Tomlin said of Ramsey via Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “His above-the-neck game and feel for the passing game is excellent. He’s physical. People often forget that this guy was probably the best safety prospect in the draft, as well, when he came out, and that just speaks to his talent level and how immense it is.”

Important roster moves

This isn’t just another season for the Steelers. After years of falling short of the Super Bowl, there’s a growing sense of confidence within the organization that this could finally be the year they reach the long-coveted title game.

Adding high-caliber talent such as Aaron Rodgers, Jonnu Smith, and even DK Metcalf also meant that other key players had to depart. The exits of cornerstone pieces like Minkah Fitzpatrick — along with quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Justin Fields — present a new challenge for the head coach as he looks ahead to what’s coming.

Ultimately, everything will be decided from the very first snap in Week 1. That’s when this revamped team will show what it’s truly made of — and many believe this could finally be the year.

Pittsburgh’s first challenges

With the main goal of securing positive results from the very start, these are the first challenges that Mike Tomlin and his Steelers will have to overcome to get the upcoming NFL season off on the right foot.

• @ New York Jets, September 7th – MetLife Stadium
• vs Seattle Seahawks, September 14th
• @ New England Patriots, September 21st – Gillette Stadium
• @ Minnesota Vikings, September 28th – Croke Park
• Bye Week

The Miami Dolphins traded two of their best players to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Cornerback Jalen Ramsey and tight end Jonnu Smith left Tua Tagovailoa‘s team and one NFL player in particular is having bittersweet emotions about it.

That guy is Raiders’ running back, Raheem Mostert, who played for Miami the last three seasons and made the Pro Bowl in 2023, after leading the NFL in total touchdowns with 21.

Mostert also left the team and it wasn’t on good terms, or so it seems. Via his official X account, Mostert said “Hot take: Be a Pro-bowler on the Dolphins, get treated like sh*t. Happy for my guys though! GO BALL OUT!!” Yikes.

There is some truth to Mostert’s statement, though. Jonnu Smith was the second-best player on the team regarding passing yards. He also led the team in touchdowns. Yet, when asking for a new contract, Miami didn’t budge. As for Ramsey, his issues with the Dolphins’ front office have been well documented.

Three faces gone, but who’s new in Miami?

Well, he might not be new to Miami as he already played for the team. However, having Minkah Fitzpatrick back is great news for the team. Skill wise, the Dolphins have added role players. Tight end Pharaoh Brown, wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and running back Alexander Mattison are going to bring depth to the offense, but won’t precisely light the NFL on fire.

Defensively, the Dolphins spent their first-round pick on Kenneth Grant, defensive end. They also signed Willie Gay Jr. and K.J. Britt as a linebacker duo. The secondary has seen much new faces arrive besides Fitzpatrick. Ifeatu Melifonwu, Ashtyn Davis, Artie Burns, Kendall Sheffield and Ryan Cooper Jr. will all reinforce the perimeter.

Is Mike McDaniel on the hot seat?

Mike McDaniel was hired as the Dolphins head coach back in 2022 after spending one year as the 49ers offensive coordinator. While he has two winning seasons and one 8-9 record last year, his seat might be getting warmer.

His postseason performances haven’t been great and multiple players have questioned their ‘soft’ identity. Most recently, Bradley Chubb was vocal about it. It seems like players are not particularly ecstatic about how McDaniel approaches coaching. This season might be the one where his future is determined.

Mike McDaniel’s team will have to face the upcoming season without one of its top defensive players, signaling a time of transition in South Florida. It’s worth noting that in addition to the cornerback, tight end Jonnu Smith also made his way to the AFC North.

Last year didn’t go as expected for either player—not just statistically, but also in terms of individual performance. Ramsey, frustrated with different situations, had requested a trade several weeks ago.

Clearly surprised by this movement, Hill retweeted the NFL’s post announcing the move and reacted with a sad-face emoji accompanied by a particular GIF, expressing his feelings about his friend’s departure from the Dolphins.

A time of transition in Miami

The Miami Dolphins face a pivotal offseason, undergoing significant changes to their roster. They traded away star cornerback Jalen Ramsey and productive tight end Jonnu Smith to the Pittsburgh Steelers, making these departures create immediate needs on both sides of the ball.

In a key part of the trade, the Dolphins reacquired safety Minkah Fitzpatrick from Tomlin’s team. This move brings back a former first-round pick who developed into an All-Pro playmaker in Pittsburgh. Fitzpatrick’s return should bolster a secondary that also lost Jevon Holland in free agency, providing leadership and ball-hawking ability. His integration will be crucial for the defense to maintain its high level of play despite the other departures.

Ultimately, Miami’s success hinges on quarterback Tua Tagovailoa‘s ability to elevate his game and become an AFC East contender. With Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle still leading the receiving corps, the focus will be on the QB’s consistency and ability to push the ball downfield.

The Dolphins are banking on a combination of a revamped defense and Tua’s continued development to challenge the Buffalo Bills for division supremacy and make a deeper playoff run.