After the blockbuster trade between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Miami Dolphins, where star safety Minkah Fitzpatrick was sent back to the team that originally drafted him and the Steelers received Jalen Ramsey and Jonnu Smith in return, fans and analysts have had mixed reactions.
Many believe that trading away Fitzpatrick defeats the purpose of acquiring a top-tier corner like Ramsey, especially considering what this defense could have looked like with both players in the secondary. Now with Juan Thornhill set to start at free safety, Pittsburgh has created another hole on its roster.
The Steelers should seriously consider making a call to a four-time Second-Team All-Pro safety and two-time Pro Bowler to stabilize the back end of their defense.
The Pittsburgh Steelers should have Pro Bowl safety Justin Simmons on speed dial
For a defense aiming to be truly elite, starting Juan Thornhill at safety simply isn’t the answer. He’s a solid option as a third safety, but if the Steelers want to add a ball hawk in the back end like Minkah Fitzpatrick once was, Justin Simmons is the clear choice. For a team that thrives on splash plays and forcing turnovers at a high rate, Simmons fits perfectly—he boasts 32 career interceptions and 5 forced fumbles.
At 31 years old, there might be some hesitation, but for a one-year rental, why not pull the trigger? Simmons brings the same deep-ball deterrence that offenses feared with Fitzpatrick, while commanding similar respect with his interception totals and playmaking ability.
The plan for Jalen Ramsey remains unclear, but it’s likely the Steelers will use him as a versatile chess piece across the secondary, including safety in certain packages. For the majority of the time, a secondary featuring Joey Porter Jr., Darius Slay, Jalen Ramsey, Deshon Elliott, and potentially Justin Simmons would be absolutely lethal.
The Steelers have clearly shown they’re all in, and this move would only reinforce that commitment. To maximize this last remaining year in their championship window, they must address safety alongside their desperate need for another wide receiver.
Safety is now a critical position they simply can’t afford to overlook if they want to make the most of their final shot at a Super Bowl.