Jalen Ramsey

Career StatsC

Year	Team	GP	INT	PD	Tkl
Career		152	25	116	622
2025		17	1	8	88
2024		17	2	11	60
2023		10

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

The Steelers landed a slight overpay on Jalen Ramsey's four-year, $84.7M extension, earning a C CVI that reflects the gap between his current production and elite cornerback compensation. At $21.2M annually, Pittsburgh is paying Ramsey like a franchise-caliber shutdown corner, but his recent performance suggests he's settled into more of a serviceable starter tier — still competent in coverage but no longer the elite, game-changing defender who dominated earlier in his career. The 29-year-old cornerback appears to be on the downward slope of his prime, making this a risky investment for a team banking on past reputation rather than current trajectory. With only $24.2M guaranteed in a $84.7M deal, the Steelers at least built in some flexibility to pivot if Ramsey's decline accelerates, but they're still committing serious resources to a player whose best days are likely behind him. This contract feels like Pittsburgh reaching for a big name to shore up their secondary, when they probably could have found similar production at a more reasonable price point.

Performance Analysis

Jalen Ramsey is a former first-round cornerback entering his 10th NFL season, now carrying a C grade with Pittsburgh after years as one of the league's premier cover men. His career résumé — multiple All-Pro selections, Super Bowl experience, and elite man-coverage tape — still commands respect, even as his current performance reflects a player managing age and injuries rather than dominating. Ramsey remains a starting-caliber corner, but the gap between his peak and his present is undeniable. His tackle production is a genuine bright spot, posting 5.18 tackles per game against an NFL average of 3.00, suggesting active involvement and reliable open-field presence. However, his interception rate of 0.06 per game falls well short of the NFL average of 0.13, signaling diminished ball-hawking instincts he once weaponized routinely. His pass deflections per game sit at 0.47, nearly matching the league average of 0.49, but elite corners push toward 0.88 — a threshold Ramsey once approached. His season trend tells a complicated story: a C- in 2023 was followed by back-to-back C+ grades in 2024 and 2025, indicating modest but real stabilization. At 31, a dramatic resurgence is unlikely, but Ramsey can still function as a scheme-specific starter if Pittsburgh deploys him wisely in zone-heavy coverages. Watch whether his interception rate recovers — that would signal meaningful rejuvenation rather than a slow fade.

Current Sentiment

Jalen Ramsey is entering 2026 with an A+ sentiment grade, reflecting a remarkable late-career renaissance that has captured both media attention and fan imagination. The veteran cornerback's transition to a hybrid safety role under Pittsburgh's new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham has generated genuine excitement across the NFL landscape, with outlets consistently highlighting his "renewed energy" and creative deployment potential. Media coverage has been notably optimistic, framing Ramsey as a respected veteran who has successfully rebranded himself from a traditional lockdown corner to a versatile defensive chess piece. The Steelers' front office transparency about viewing him as a cornerstone rather than a transitional player has reinforced confidence in his continued elite impact. Fan sentiment in Pittsburgh mirrors this enthusiasm, with supporters expressing genuine intrigue over the mystery surrounding his role and the defensive possibilities his versatility creates. This A+ perception reflects a player who has maintained star-level credibility while generating the kind of anticipation typically reserved for emerging talents rather than tenth-year veterans.