After the 10-7 season last year, the waves of change were rushing strongly for the Pittsburgh Steelers. And that undertow brought two names with great promises to the team. First was the offensive boost with the arrival of DK Metcalf. The second was the much-awaited addition of Aaron Rodgers to the QB room. But the Steelers weren’t just loading up on offensive pieces. The final piece of the puzzle was a defensive juggernaut that gives HC Mike Tomlin the push he needs to make a deeper playoff run. As it turns out, that piece was Jalen Ramsey, the (ex) Miami Dolphins cornerback.

For a while, it looked like Ramsey wasn’t going to fit in Steel City. After all, the Steelers had also signed Darius Slay to a one-year deal this offseason. Some insiders even believed Tomlin was going to pass on the veteran 7x Pro Bowler to save money for a future franchise QB. The Draft class of ‘26 was certainly appealing enough to make that case. But in a brand new move, the Steelers are now all set to trade for Ramsey to bring him to Pittsburgh from Miami. And that too, with a big paycheck boost.

Adam Schefter took to X to share the news. The Jalen Ramsey trade is now set in stone. As Schefter writes, “The Miami Dolphins have agreed to trade three-time All-Pro CB Jalen Ramsey to the Pittsburgh Steelers. As a part of the trade, Ramsey will get a $1.5 million raise this season, bringing his 2025 compensation up to $26.6 million. Steelers get their man and Ramsey gets another raise.” After a two-year run with the Dolphins, it was rumored that Ramsey had lost faith in the Dolphins’ coaching staff. And in the draft weekend, Dolphins GM Chris Grier noted that conversations have been ongoing with teams for a potential trade. As Grier put it back then, “depending on what happens and if and when it’ll happen; whatever it is, we’ll make the deal at the appropriate time.” That “appropriate time” is finally here.

The Dolphins notably save a massive $92 million in cap all way through the 2029 season with this move. But for the 4 years still left on Ramsey’s deal, that also means they’ll have a $6.75 million cap hit for the next three seasons and about $5 million in 2028, as per Over The Cap. As for the Steelers, it is still unclear what the trade will entail, or what the fine prints in Ramsey’s contract will be. But he arrives with the Pro Bowler promise to improve the defensive dynamics. On the other hand, does Ramsey’s arrival mean curtain call for Joey Porter Jr.? After Porter’s two seasons with the Steelers, it looks like the scales will now tip in Ramsey’s favor.

Joey Porter Jr.’s future with the Steelers

Since his arrival in Steel City back in 2023, Joey Porter Jr. knew he could be a sponge and learn from the surrounding veterans. In his rookie year, he got to watch Patrick Peterson in action. Last year, he saw Donte Jackson make a splash with 5 interceptions. This year, he was all set to learn from Darius Slay as well. As Porter had noted, “I told him I used to watch his tape growing up. – He’s a great vet. I’ve had some great vets before him. I’m just happy to have him in the building and keep learning from him.” But as he learns from the vets, that knowledge might not get a big chance to translate on the field this season. There’s also a fatal flaw in his game that simply can’t be ignored.

Porter is coming off a great season with 53 solo tackles (70 total), 1 interception and 7 passes defended. But if there’s one thing that’s a major problem for him, it’s the penalty flags. He’s been working on them, too. During the OTA pressers, he had addressed it with, “I feel like that’s the main thing for me, just clean up the little penalties. – I looked at the tape, it’s not as bad as I think it was.” But those “little penalties” do add up. Just last season, Porter had a total of 15 penalties. 6 each of those he got in just two games. In his rookie year, that number was a little lower, 12 in total. But with a whopping 27 penalties in just two seasons, it might be better to give the guy a little room to clean up the techniques before giving him the reins.

Porter now has the chance to watch Jalen Ramsey in action and learn from him as well. During the training camp, if the improvements are visible, then Porter might have another explosive season. With lesser flags, of course. Till then, the Steelers locker room has a new and powerful piece to work with. Have the Steelers made the right moves to bring them closer to a big win this season?