PITTSBURGH — So often with the teams we follow, we search for linear fits. This player addresses that need. If there's too much of one thing, give it up to get something else. And my personal favorite: trading the bad and acquiring good.

What the Steelers did Monday, however, doesn't fit those descriptors. It was unique, fun and aggressive — and it could tell us something bigger about Mike Tomlin. It's also awfully tough to call the Steelers boring.

The sum total of the moves brought Jalen Ramsey, Jonnu Smith and a 2027 seventh-round pick to Pittsburgh, with Minkah Fitzpatrick and a 2025 fifth-rounder going back to the Miami Dolphins.

It also makes me wonder whether the Steelers are done. Could they add another true safety? What about wide receiver? In due time. Plenty to chew on for now, during what was supposed to be a quiet period.

Before wondering how either could be utilized, let's not overlook the Tomlin aspect here. Sure, Omar Khan is conducting business differently. DK Metcalf, Aaron Rodgers, activity in free agency period ... all a huge departure. But none of it happens if Tomlin objects, and these haven't been small moves.

Why is Tomlin taking such a huge swing? To end the playoff drought? To save his job? Because he, too, has grown tired of doing the same old?

The Steelers are operating in a markedly different way than ever before. For better or worse, it ultimately boomerangs back to Tomlin, as well as offensive coordinator Arthur Smith and defensive coordinator Teryl Austin.

These guys need to make it work, or the big swing could turn into a gigantic miss, which will have ramifications.

Since he was the fifth overall pick out of Florida State in 2016, most of Ramsey's snaps have come outside, though he's played some in the slot. The 6-foot-1, 209-pounder can run, has picked off 25 passes in nine years and should profile as their best outside guy.

Perhaps that means Darius Slay, signed this offseason for $10 million, plays some safety. Or the Steelers turn Ramsey loose and get creative with his usage. Chess-piece stuff. The possibilities are endless, which can be both exciting and intimidating.

No issue here moving on from Minkah and his $22.3 million cap hit, especially with his recent drop in production. (This could also involve how Fitzpatrick was used, which creates a valid concern for Slay and Ramsey.)

But the Steelers made their team better Monday by acquiring Ramsey, a talented player and a three-time first-team All-Pro cornerback. There's also a succession of trust: Khan to Tomlin and Tomlin to Austin to deploy Ramsey the right way. Now, we'll wait and see.

I like that the Steelers are deeper at corner. Khan also found DeShon Elliott for $6 million prior to last season, and repeating that shrewd move or having Juan Thornhill work out could be huge.

As much as we've criticized the Steelers since the end of last season, they're going for it in smart-but-aggressive ways. Their draft picks made sense. It was time to move on from George Pickens. For the reasonable money, as well as how he looked during minicamp, I'm largely fine with the Rodgers signing.

Depth in the secondary was a lingering concern, as well as whether the Steelers can get another weapon for Rodgers. The funny thing: Neither of the new guys completely address those issues, but it's hard to not be intrigued.

Jonnu Smith caught 88 passes for 884 yards and eight touchdowns last season. That first number would have led the Steelers ... and by a fairly wide margin. He's an offensively gifted tight end. The creative possibilities for Arthur Smith here are also endless.

We know he loves tight ends, and he'll have two really good ones in the fold — plus Metcalf, a No. 2 receiver option in Calvin Austin III and potentially Roman Wilson.

If the Steelers can mirror the creativity employed with Ramsey, perhaps they'll use Jonnu Smith outside and in the slot a bunch. He can handle it. Mix and match with Freiermuth while allowing Darnell Washington to handle a lot of the blocking duties.

There's a lot the Steelers can do, with the right schematics. Which is what could really define these moves.

Ramsey and Smith can play. We know that. But they're not traditional, linear fits with the Steelers. How they're integrated into various offensive and defensive concepts will tell us plenty about the abilities of Arthur Smith and Austin.

The man who brought them here, though, has the most on the line. Tomlin seems to be telling us through his actions that he hears the noise. That he, too, is sick of the same old stuff, those feelings contributing to what has been an even crazier Steelers offseason than the last.

Anyone else ready for the real fun to start?

____

© 2025 the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Visit www.post-gazette.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.