We figured the Pittsburgh Steelers were going to address the secondary in free agency. What we didn’t account for was general manager Omar Khan adding four experienced defensive backs to the Steelers’ roster in the first four days of free agency alone.

Just before the NFL negotiation period opened on Monday, the Steelers re-signed cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. to a one-year contract. This was followed by an eye-popping decision to ink high-profile CB Jamel Dean to a three-year deal. Dean was arguably the best defensive back on the market this year.

Not long after, the Steelers agreed to terms on a contract with the Packers’ former first-round pick, safety Darnell Savage. Then, on Thursday evening, Steelers fans rejoiced as Penn State product and hard-hitting safety Jaquan Brisker joined the team on a one-year deal.

And just like that, the secondary got a much-needed infusion of athleticism and depth.

But where does that leave Jalen Ramsey?

If you ask many fans, making the call to part ways with the pricey, aging veteran never looked easier than it does right now.

The Pittsburgh Steelers should release Jalen Ramsey after an influx of secondary talent was added in free agency

Releasing Jalen Ramsey was a potential Steelers decision already on the radar of fans and analysts entering the offseason—and that was before Pittsburgh added any defensive back in free agency.

Ramsey made the transition from cornerback to free safety halfway through the 2025 season. Though the former All-Pro’s performance was respectable, it’s impossible to argue that Ramsey is worth his lofty cap number.

In 2026, Ramsey is set to cost the Steelers $19.5 million, per Over the Cap. This is a number that will only climb significantly in each of the next two seasons. Meanwhile, Khan could release Ramsey without losing a penny. This feels like a simple and obvious decision.

Ramsey will turn 32 early in the 2025 season, and we know that defensive backs at his age tend to drop off drastically in performance. Ramsey’s contract already looked like a bad deal for the Steelers last year, and the 11-year veteran is certainly not getting any younger.

When we factor in the depth the Steelers added in the secondary this offseason, the decision to cut Ramsey has never been easier.

In addition to saving nearly $20 million in cap space immediately, the Steelers already have proven quality depth in the secondary. The combination of Dean, Samuel, Brisker, and Savage has loads of experience, with all four as multi-year starters. And whether the plan was to play Ramsey at free safety or as a nickel cornerback this year, the Steelers have all bases covered with their aggressive free agency moves.

This doesn’t even account for the 12 draft picks the Steelers are currently sitting on—some of which can be used to add even more speed and youth to the secondary.

We can already see the writing on the wall; we’re going to get into the 2026 season and wonder what Omar Khan and the Steelers were thinking by keeping Jalen Ramsey on the team at an obnoxiously large cap number. With a flood of talent added in free agency, the decision to move on from Ramsey has never been easier than it is right now.