The last play for the Pittsburgh Steelers defense featured a hit that left a lasting impression.

Jalen Ramsey’s jarring shot that dislodged the ball from New York Jets receiver Garrett Wilson on fourth down was the buzz of the locker room after the Steelers escaped with a 34-32 victory Sunday at MetLife Stadium.

Capping a day when the Steelers defense bled again in the running game only to make crucial stops in the fourth quarter, Ramsey provided a dose of physicality that was lacking last year during a late-season swoon.

Labeled “vicious” and “violent” by assistant general manager Andy Weidl, Ramsey lived up to his reputation when he perfectly timed his hit on Wilson to break up a pass and seal the victory.

— NFL Films (@NFLFilms) September 8, 2025

“I loved that play by him at the end,” defensive captain Cameron Heyward said. “You can’t say enough good things about what that play symbolizes, that there’s no easy pass in this game.”

It was the second breakup for Ramsey. He also had three tackles and a quarterback hit while filling five spots in the secondary because of a second-half injury to starting corner Joey Porter Jr.

Ramsey played all 64 defensive snaps, lining up in the slot 34 times. He played a boundary corner 12 times, took 11 snaps at free safety, five at strong safety and he even filled an outside linebacker spot for two plays.

Ramsey said it was the first time he played every position in the secondary in one game.

“I said I would do whatever the team needs me to do,” he said. “I didn’t know it would show up immediately in Week 1, but it did, and I’m glad I was able to lock in and step up to the challenge in all those different roles.”

The trade that brought Ramsey to the Steelers in late June completed a defensive makeover that emphasized physicality, and not just along the line after the Steelers were pushed around in their postseason loss at Baltimore.

“It’s awesome having guys come in and buy into our culture,” outside linebacker Alex Highsmith said.

Ramsey’s hit on quarterback Justin Fields late in the opening half drew a flag … against the Jets. It was a borderline late hit on Fields, but Ramsey wasn’t penalized. Jets offensive lineman John Simpson took exception and delivered a headbutt to Ramsey after the play. Out came the flag.

Just 9 seconds remained in the half, and the loss of 15 yards pushed the Jets back to their 26. The penalty essentially cost the Jets any chance of getting into position for a field goal.

“You love the chippiness,” Heyward said. “I feel it galvanized us in the second half.”

The Jets scored on their first four possessions in the first half, rushed for 106 yards and totaled 240. After intermission, the Jets scored two touchdowns but had a more palatable 154 yards and 76 rushing. The Steelers stopped a 2-point conversion in the fourth quarter, forced a three-and-out and got a turnover on downs with 18 seconds remaining.

“I’m glad he’s on my team,” coach Mike Tomlin said about Ramsey. “I’ve seen it in stadiums before. A lot of these new Steelers, we’ve covered it for a long time, and sometimes it’s just about an opportunity. I’ve certainly been an appreciator of his skills and talents. Can’t say enough about him.”

Ramsey needed to show his versatility after frequently lining up in the slot to open the game. Strong safety DeShon Elliott left in the first half with a knee injury, and Porter hurt his hamstring in the second. This led to a chain reaction in the secondary with pieces being switched. Ramsey was the biggest one shuffled around the board.

“That is why he is one of the best in the game,” cornerback Darius Slay said. “He’s been doing this for a long time. He came up big when we needed him to.”

Ramsey’s only complaint about his hit on Wilson was that it was necessary. He nearly intercepted a pass two plays earlier that would have ended the Jets’ last-gasp drive.

“I should have caught that pick a couple plays earlier,” he said, “but it’s all good.”

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