According to NFL reporter Tom Pelissero, the Los Angeles Rams are engaged in trade talks involving cornerback Jalen Ramsey. This has whipped Pittsburgh Steelers fans into a frenzy over the potential of the Steelers being one of those teams.
But it isn’t going to happen.
Some team is probably going to trade for Ramsey. But there is zero chance it is going to be the Steelers. Why? First off there are 17 million reasons not to. That is how much the 28-year-old cornerback is due this season on his guaranteed contract. Pittsburgh isn’t shy about throwing a ton of money at the defense but with so much cash wrapped up in linebacker T.J. Watt, defensive tackle Cam Heyward and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, the team just doesn’t have the money to spend.
The other reason is that other cost. The cost in draft picks. The Rams gave up two first-round picks and a fourth-round to get Ramsey from the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2019. After four seasons with Los Angeles, they are going to want to get some of that back and will want at least a first-round pick and probably a second or third as well. Pittsburgh is building a team for the future and can do much more with those picks by selecting players than trading for a cornerback creeping up to 30 years old.
We would much rather see the Steelers give Cameron Sutton a raise at the same age and save some money while keeping the core of an improving secondary intact.
