The Pittsburgh Steelers are sitting atop the AFC North after a gritty, hard-fought win over the Ravens in Baltimore-a win that not only kept them in control of their playoff destiny but also reignited a fanbase that’s been riding an emotional rollercoaster all season. With the postseason just around the corner, the question now is simple: can this be the year the Steelers finally snap their playoff win drought?
It’s been a long time coming. Pittsburgh hasn’t won a playoff game since the 2016 season, and the frustration has been bubbling up.
That frustration hit a boiling point during the team’s last home game against the Bills, when chants calling for head coach Mike Tomlin’s firing echoed through Acrisure Stadium. But not everyone is buying into the noise.
Jalen Ramsey, the former All-Pro defensive back who’s now wearing black and gold, didn’t mince words when asked about the chants.
“Me, personally, I thought the chants were bullshit,” Ramsey said Saturday. “It’s comical.”
Ramsey, who’s been around the league long enough to know how hard it is to win in January, made it clear that playoff success doesn’t come easy-even for elite teams. In his 10-year NFL career, he’s only been part of postseason wins in two seasons. That kind of perspective matters, especially in a locker room trying to push through the noise and focus on the bigger picture.
And Ramsey hasn’t just been vocal-he’s been impactful. Since arriving in Pittsburgh via a trade that sent safety Minkah Fitzpatrick the other way (along with tight end Jonnu Smith joining Ramsey in the Steel City), he’s delivered on both ends of the deal. Whether he’s locking down receivers on the outside or stepping into a more central role as a safety-a position he hasn’t played regularly since his Florida State days-Ramsey has been everything the Steelers hoped for and more.
In fact, you could argue he’s been the team’s most versatile and reliable presence in the secondary. His ability to seamlessly transition between corner and safety has given Pittsburgh a much-needed edge on the back end, especially with injuries and inconsistency plaguing the unit earlier in the year.
This Steelers team isn’t perfect. They’ve had their stumbles, and the offense has had its share of growing pains.
But they’re in first place in one of the NFL’s most competitive divisions, and they’ve got a defense that can go toe-to-toe with anyone. Ramsey’s leadership, both on and off the field, is a big part of that.
So while the outside noise continues-whether it’s frustration over the playoff drought or questions about coaching-inside the locker room, there’s belief. And as Ramsey made clear, belief from a battle-tested veteran matters when the games start to count the most.