Not everything will change for Jalen Ramsey on the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Pittsburgh sent shockwaves across the NFL by acquiring Ramsey in a blockbuster deal with the Miami Dolphins before training camp. The Steelers sent All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick to Miami in a deal for the star cornerback and Pro Bowl tight end Jonnu Smith.
On Thursday, the Steelers gave fans their first look at Ramsey in black and yellow. Their social media post confirmed that Ramsey will continue to wear No. 5.
Ramsey wore No. 20 for the first five years of his career with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Los Angeles Rams. He switched to No. 5 before the 2021 season when the NFL modified its uniform policy to allow defensive backs to pick numbers from zero to 49.
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At the time, Ramsey explained that he wanted No. 2 as a reminder to always put others first. Wide receiver Robert Woods switched to No. 2 instead, so the defensive standout pivoted to No. 5.
“It made sense for (Woods) to have it over me,” Ramsey said in July 2021. “Five was the other number that I was like, ‘I’ll go get if there’s an issue with two.’ Just because of certain little meanings that I have internally about the number five. That’s it. Nothing crazy.”
Ramsey stuck with No. 5 when moving to Miami in 2023. He made his seventh Pro Bowl in 2023 despite playing just 10 games and collected two interceptions in 17 starts last season.
The three-time All-Pro will now play for his third different team in the last four years. Ramsey again missed a chance to snag No. 2, as quarterback Mason Rudolph retrieved his old number when returning to Pittsburgh on a two-year deal.
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Rookie running back Kaleb Johnson will wear No. 20, but Ramsey apparently worked out a deal for No. 5 with punter Cameron Johnston.
Regardless of his uniform number, the Steelers will hope Ramsey limits the opposition to modest receiving numbers in 2025.
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Featured image via Sam Navarro/Imagn Images