The Pittsburgh Steelers made a headline-snatching move, but one analyst believes they’ve made a costly mistake. With the ink barely dry on a trade that brings Jalen Ramsey to Pittsburgh, Colin Cowherd torched the decision, comparing it to the Jets’ flawed attempt at supporting Aaron Rodgers. And his critique? It hit harder than a Ramsey press coverage.
Colin Cowherd Slams Steelers’ Spending Strategy
In a blockbuster trade Monday, the Steelers sent Minkah Fitzpatrick and Jonnu Smith to the Miami Dolphins for All-Pro cornerback Ramsey. The teams also swapped 2027 late-round picks. Pittsburgh will now pay Ramsey $26.6 million for the 2025 season, a bold, expensive bet on defensive strength.
But Fox Sports’ Cowherd thinks it’s a misguided copycat strategy.
“Alright, if you’re spending a third on cars and a third on clothes, I’ll be able to tell over time. You didn’t spend it wisely. Stop spending money on defense,” Cowherd said on The Herd.
“They’re number one in defensive spending, and they don’t have the T.J. Watt contract finalized. That’s going to be 45 million annually.”
“The Steelers can’t help themselves”@colincowherd thinks trading for Jalen Ramsey means more of the same in Pittsburgh. pic.twitter.com/pwd2tLqI1Q
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) June 30, 2025
Cowherd compared the Steelers to last year’s Jets, a team that heavily invested in defense while hoping Rodgers would fix the offense.
“The Steelers, trying to solve their offensive issues, looked at last year’s Jets and said, ‘Let’s do what they’re doing.’ Probably don’t want to watch the New York Jets ever, and say, ‘I’ll take two heaping spoonfuls of what the New York Jets are doing.’ That’s what the Steelers did this morning,” Cowherd continued.
A Risky Bet on Jalen Ramsey and Defensive Dominance
The move places Pittsburgh among the NFL’s top spenders on defense, with a secondary now boasting Ramsey, Darius Slay, and Joey Porter Jr. Ramsey’s resume includes seven Pro Bowls, three First-Team All-Pro selections, and a Super Bowl ring, and his credentials are beyond dispute. But Cowherd raised a more pressing concern about his fit in Pittsburgh.
🚨 🚨 🚨
The #Dolphins and #Steelers have finalized a blockbuster trade to send All-Pro CB Jalen Ramsey to Pittsburgh, sources tell me and @TomPelissero.
Ramsey’s adjusted contract includes a $1.5M raise in 2025 making his salary $26.6M this year. Pittsburgh loads up. pic.twitter.com/hmRehEf4zS
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 30, 2025
“Jalen Ramsey, two things: he’s a very, very loose player. That’s why the Rams moved off him… He’s kind of an independent guy doing his own thing,” Cowherd said. “He’s very dependent on his environment.”
Reports indicated that cornerback was seen as Pittsburgh’s biggest defensive need entering the offseason. Adding Ramsey alongside Slay shores up that unit, at least on paper. But Fitzpatrick’s departure, coupled with a still-unresolved T.J. Watt extension and questions around WR2 depth, leaves the roster feeling unbalanced.
This trade underlines Pittsburgh’s win-now urgency but also exposes their gamble on star power over offensive progression. If Ramsey thrives in Mike Tomlin’s system, critics may fade. But if the offense sputters and Watt remains unsigned, Cowherd’s warning will feel prophetic. The season opener against the Jets? It’s now must-watch TV.