The Pittsburgh Steelers’ secondary has changed quickly, and the latest problem could force the Steelers to reconsider how it uses Jalen Ramsey. With Joey Porter Jr. now in the Dallas Cowboys and Jamel Dean dealing with an ankle injury, the team has fewer reliable options at cornerback.
That has led longtime Steelers reporter Mark Kaboly to suggest a move that would change Ramsey’s role again. The veteran is currently playing safety, however, Kaboly believes the Steelers may be better off putting him back outside.
Jalen Ramsey Could Move Back to Cornerback for the Pittsburgh Steelers
Kaboly made the case for the switch while discussing the Steelers’ options in the secondary. Ramsey’s broken wrist complicates the situation; however, the Steelers’ current situation may leave them with few better options.
“I would really consider moving Jalen Ramsey to cornerback, but it complicates things with the broken wrist. He’s your best option right now. He’s your best ball player back there. Move him back there, hope DeShon Elliott comes back. If not Robert Spears-Jennings played well enough that you could put him back there with Brisker. I think that’s your best opportunity moving forward because you don’t know what you’re gonna get from Everette and Samuel Jr.. Not just on a week-to-week basis, but a series-to-series basis.”
Kaboly thinks the Steelers should move Jalen Ramsey to CB: “I would really consider moving Jalen Ramsey to cornerback, but it complicates things with the broken wrist. He’s your best option right now. He’s your best ball player back there. Move him back there, hope DeShon Elliott…
— Blitzburgh (@Blitz_Burgh) October 5, 2026
The timing is significant. Ramsey was active against the Cleveland Browns on Thursday despite a fractured wrist and played with a cast to protect the injury. He entered that game with 17 tackles, one pass defensed, and a forced fumble through the first three weeks.
The Steelers originally envisioned Ramsey as a versatile piece in Patrick Graham’s defense. He moved between roles, including playing safety and working closer to the line of scrimmage, rather than simply settling in as a traditional outside corner.
Porter was traded to the Cowboys after the two sides failed to reach an extension, removing a major piece from the cornerback room. Dean then suffered an ankle injury against the Browns, leaving rookie Daylen Everette and Asante Samuel Jr. with more responsibility.
That is where Kaboly’s suggestion starts to make sense. Moving Ramsey outside would still come with obvious concerns. He is dealing with a broken wrist, and asking a 31-year-old defensive back to take on more boundary snaps while playing through the injury is not an ideal situation.
However, the Steelers may not have an ideal option. They already moved on from Porter, while Dean’s injury has made an unsettled CB group even thinner. Everette is still developing, and Samuel has yet to establish himself as a consistent answer on the outside.
Ramsey has experience there, knows the defense, and remains one of the Steelers’ most proven defensive backs. The Steelers wanted his versatility to give them more options. With the secondary suddenly short on answers, that versatility could now lead Ramsey right back to cornerback.
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