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Tight end Jonnu Smith reveals that he and Jalen Ramsey had conversations about the Steelers before they were traded to Pittsburgh
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

There were rumblings for weeks that the Pittsburgh Steelers and Miami Dolphins were involved in trade talks. 

For the most part, those revolved around TE Jonnu Smith. 

But when it became clear that the deal might involve Jalen Ramsey, the two former Dolphins got together and pondered what it would be like in Pittsburgh...

Jonnu Smith, Jalen Ramsey happy to be in Pittsburgh 

“Me and [Jalen Ramsey] chopped it up before this happened,” Smith told his former teammate Terron Armstead on his podcast. "He obviously knew the situation that he was in in Miami and felt that it was time for him to move on. We chopped it up one-on-one about what potentially could be as rumors [were] floating around . . . 

". . . We’re like, ‘Bro, if this thing really goes down, if this thing really happens, Pittsburgh is a team that’s historically going to be always be in the dance. It’s just maybe a couple missing pieces like us that can fill that void and get over that hump. One thing that we both admired about the situation was the culture. The culture that Mike [Tomlin] established. I can’t wait to play for him."

Whether you agree with the idea of the Steelers culture being set by Mike Tomlin or not, the truth is that players like Smith and Ramsey fit the mold of the one in place. The grit and toughness of Smith, the pedigree and Hall of Fame resume of Ramsey. 

They scream Steeler. A lot of the national narrative has been "moves to make moves," but I don't see it that way. Omar Khan has been too calculated. Sure, Smith and Ramsey talked up the Steelers, but Smith fits a crtical role in Arthur Smith's offense and Ramsey will help them accomplish their schematic goals of the past three seasons. 

The culture fit, the DNA, the comments from Smith on why he wanted to join Pittsburgh, that's all icing on the cake. Pittsburgh has assembled what they believe to be the missing parts to the puzzle. 

The question is whether the completed puzzle results in merely another one-and-done in the playoffs, or something better. 

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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