Ramsey Credits Tomlin for Steelers Defensive Role

Jalen Ramsey says former coach Mike Tomlin shaped his role, as the Steelers defense ranks sixth in the NFL.

Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Football

Ramsey Credits Tomlin for Steelers Defensive Role

Jalen Ramsey credited former head coach Mike Tomlin for his vision for his role on the Steelers during a Monday appearance on The Pivot Podcast. The Steelers defense is ranked sixth in the NFL, allowing 305.6 yards per game.

Why it matters

Ramsey has been moved across several positions this season because of injuries in the secondary, a shift that Tomlin's planned usage did not anticipate. The reshuffling shapes how the defense is deployed as the team looks to maintain its ranking.

Ramsey has 48 total tackles, two sacks and one forced fumble in eight games, with no interceptions this season. The Steelers defense allows 305.6 yards per game, sixth in the NFL, and surrendered only two touchdowns over its last three games.

The players

Jalen Ramsey

Jalen Ramsey is a veteran cornerback and safety who was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2025 and earned a Pro Bowl selection after moving to full-time safety.

Mike Tomlin

Mike Tomlin is the former long-time head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, known for his tenure leading the franchise and his defensive schemes.

Patrick Graham

Patrick Graham is the Pittsburgh Steelers' new defensive coordinator who plans to use Ramsey across multiple defensive roles.

The details

Ramsey has played free safety, strong safety, nickel corner and linebacker this season after injuries to other defensive backs, including starting safety DeShon Elliott, who was lost for the season in Week 8. New defensive coordinator Patrick Graham plans to keep Ramsey in roles where he can be used in as many games as possible.

Week 8 of the 2025 season: starting safety DeShon Elliott was lost for the season.
Midseason 2025: Ramsey became a full-time safety and earned a Pro Bowl selection.
Monday before November 2, 2026: Ramsey spoke on The Pivot Podcast.
Final three games of the 2026 season: the defense allowed only two touchdowns.

Season Trajectory

Ramsey's shift from cornerback toward full-time safety began in midseason 2025 and has continued into 2026 as injuries reshape the Steelers secondary. The defense's sixth-place ranking depends on how effectively the team can keep its defensive backs healthy and deployed.

Ramsey's multi-position use affects how Steelers fantasy rosters value his tackles, sacks and forced fumbles. Fans tracking the defense should watch whether his role stabilizes as the secondary gets healthier.

The takeaway

Injuries to the secondary have forced Ramsey into roles he was not originally slated for, and that flexibility is now a central part of the Steelers defense. Following which positions he plays each week is the clearest signal of how the unit is adjusting.