Jalen Ramsey Still Confident in his Ability To Be Elite

After his time with the Jaguars, he eventually made stops in Los Angeles and Miami before landing in Pittsburgh. Opinions on Ramsey are split, but after an appearance on the Pivot Podcast, he said he is focused on football and emphasized that he still has it despite what critics say.

Before getting to that point, it’s important to look back at Ramsey’s career and how he achieved the status of being one of the NFL’s elite cornerbacks.

Jalen Ramsey’s Career Review

Jacksonville Jaguars

In his first four years in Jacksonville, Ramsey displayed his ball-hawking abilities, totaling nine interceptions and 44 pass deflections. Not only did he give receivers such as Antonio Brown and DeAndre Hopkins tough outings, but he also made opposing quarterbacks avoid him at all costs.

Along with his playmaking ability, Ramsey established himself as a secure tackler. During his tenure with the Jaguars, he recorded 210 tackles.

A highlight of Ramsey’s time in Jacksonville came in 2017, when the Jaguars reached the AFC Championship Game against the New England Patriots. Although that ended in a loss, it helped prepare him for the big games that would follow throughout his career.

Los Angeles Rams

Following successful seasons in Jacksonville, 2019 told a different story.

That year, Ramsey clashed with Jaguars management and requested a trade. He played three games before being dealt to the Los Angeles Rams for first-round picks in 2020 and 2021, along with a fourth-round pick in 2021.

With the Rams, Ramsey became a key factor in Los Angeles’ rise as a consistent contender. During his tenure, he recorded 10 interceptions, five forced fumbles, two sacks, 47 pass deflections and 242 tackles, showing his growth as a playmaker.

His contributions helped the Rams win the Super Bowl against the Cincinnati Bengals in 2022. After that season, Ramsey sought a change of scenery.

Miami Dolphins

After a Super Bowl win and four seasons with the Rams, the Dolphins acquired Ramsey for a 2023 third-round pick and tight end Hunter Long.

During his time in Miami, Ramsey recorded five interceptions, one sack, 16 pass deflections and 82 total tackles. In 2023, he appeared in only 10 games after suffering a meniscus injury in training camp. The injury contributed to lower numbers in Miami compared with his first two NFL stops.

Although the Dolphins showed promise with playmakers such as Tyreek Hill, Tua Tagovailoa, Jaylen Waddle and Raheem Mostert, their shortcomings overshadowed Ramsey’s chance to compete for another Super Bowl.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Entering the 2025 offseason, Ramsey’s future became uncertain after he decided to move on from the Dolphins.

As training camp approached, the Steelers and general manager Omar Khan made a roster-shaking move, acquiring Ramsey, his teammate Jonnu Smith and a 2027 seventh-round pick in exchange for Minkah Fitzpatrick and a 2027 fifth-round pick.

Now, with new beginnings and a re-energized spirit, Ramsey is ready to make his impact felt wherever he is needed.

Ramsey’s The Pivot Podcast Appearance

On Aug. 12, Ramsey sat down with former Steeler Ryan Clark, along with Fred Taylor and Channing Crowder, to address his doubters and the sentiment surrounding him at this stage of his career. In addition to discussing his adjustment to Pittsburgh, he also reflected on his career as a whole.

One of the biggest takeaways was Ramsey’s declaration: “Jalen is still Jalen. I’m still that one,” proving he remains confident in his ability to be a true No. 1 corner and guard the league’s best.

When asked about the Steelers having three No. 1 corners, he emphasized that he is still the one who will shadow opponents’ top receivers. Along with that confidence, he expressed excitement about Joey Porter Jr.’s willingness to take on those same matchups. Ramsey even compared Porter to former Jaguars teammate A.J. Bouye — high praise considering how dominant that duo was.

Ramsey is thrilled to play for a well-respected coach like Mike Tomlin.

He admired how Tomlin rejects “comfort-seeking football” and instead demands that players be in the right alignments and well-conditioned. With Ramsey focused solely on playing football, he said he appreciates Tomlin’s discipline and attention to detail.

Another aspect Ramsey addressed was how he and the team don’t want to let Aaron Rodgers down this season.

He recalled his time with the Rams, when he felt the same way about teammates such as Aaron Donald, Odell Beckham Jr., Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp. The shows Ramsey’s desire to play hard for his teammates and shows the high standard of leadership and performance he holds himself to.

Year 10 Expectations

As Ramsey enters his 10th season, critics will be watching to see whether he can still perform at an elite level. His resume suggests he can still produce, but only time will tell if he has managed to hold off Father Time.

The Steelers plan to use him as a versatile weapon. More opportunities around the ball will allow Ramsey to showcase his talent.