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If the Pittsburgh Steelers look like a team that isn't fully committed to winning the Super Bowl in 2025, it's because they aren't.
That's not the end of the world. Without a franchise quarterback, few teams have legitimate championship aspirations. Aaron Rodgers, on the wrong side of 40, isn't likely to shift those odds.
Perhaps that's what made the weirdest trade in recent NFL memory all the more peculiar.
Steelers shake up offseason with Jalen Ramsey trade
Pittsburgh had long been considered a landing spot for veteran corner Jalen Ramsey, who seemed to want out from his stint with the Miami Dolphins. Other whispers from the offseason suggested that safety Minkah Fitzpatrick could be on the move if the Steelers were to finally rebuild.
Instead, they shocked the football world on Monday by dealing Fitzpatrick for Ramsey, hoping the delta between veteran defensive backs makes them competitive come January.
The full deal, as reported by Adam Schefter, should make Pittsburgh better on both sides of the ball.
- Pittsburgh receives: CB Jalen Ramsey, TE Jonnu Smith, 2027 seventh-round pick
- Miami receives: S Minkah Fitzpatrick, 2027 fifth-round pick
The Steelers needed an upgrade in the slot, and Ramsey is still one of the game's better corners. In 2024, the back end struggled through communication breakdowns and coverage inconsistencies during its season-ending losing streak. Fitzpatrick's role in that decline will likely define just how much of an improvement Ramsey will provide.
Jonnu Smith, reunited with offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, will look to build upon his career year in 2024, where he posted 88 catches for 884 yards and eight touchdowns. He is positioned to play a strong role in the offense from the slot, but will have to be versatile to maintain playing time with Pat Freiermuth vying for snaps.
Pittsburgh traded Minkah instead of a 2026 pick
The most important piece of this deal is that the Steelers are operating with 2026 in mind -- more specifically, the 2026 NFL Draft. Pittsburgh knows its Super Bowl window won't open until it acquires a championship-caliber quarterback. The simplest way to do that is to draft one.
Of course, the Steelers aren't tanking. With Rodgers under center, they could very well play meaningful January football. But with 12 picks in next year's draft, Pittsburgh ensured it will have enough ammo to trade up on Day 1 if necessary.
MORE: Steelers-Dolphins trade grades: Pittsburgh wins big as Jalen Ramsey, Minkah Fitzpatrick swap places
Likewise, the Steelers traded for receiver DK Metcalf, only to trade George Pickens away weeks later. Rather than pull the trigger in March and recoup a late 2025 pick, general manager Omar Khan got a third-round pick for 2026. It may not be included in a hypothetical deal, but it could provide insulation if other early capital gets dealt.
By trading Fitzpatrick, Pittsburgh got to add another star without sacrificing draft capital. That makes the team better in the immediate future without hurting the organization's paramount pursuit. Signing Rodgers and swapping veterans are undeniably short-term moves, but the Steelers have their eyes on the future, even as they hope to compete in 2025.
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