“They Get Away With Sh*y”: Jalen Ramsey Blasts Steelers, Calls Out WRs and Team Execution
Pittsburgh Steelers’ defensive problems culminated in a boiling point when star cornerback Jalen Ramsey expressed his frustrations after the team lost a road contest to the Cincinnati Bengals by a margin of 33 to 31 on Thursday. Ramsey did not go easy when he had to discuss what he saw as missed calls and execution lapses that resulted in the loss.
“We have to play better. You have WRs that are superstars, you know that they get away with sh*y like that. It is what it is. Got to play the game. Got to execute,” Ramsey said postgame.
WOW: #Steelers cornerback Jalen Ramsey went of on his team saying they need to be better
“We have to play better. You have WRs that are superstars, you know that they get away with sh*y like that. It is what it is. Got to play the game. Got to execute”pic.twitter.com/sL3OoR93ab
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) October 17, 2025
Jalen Ramsey Takes Accountability Amid Defensive Meltdown
Ramsey said that the Steelers’ secondary had a challenging game. Joe Flacco threw for 342 yards and three touchdowns, showing problems with communication and coverage that hurt Pittsburgh all night.
“We have to play better, starting with myself, when the opportunity presents itself,” Ramsey said, noting that the team must focus on discipline and execution instead of officiating. His frustration peaked in the second quarter, when Ja’Marr Chase appeared to push off before hauling in a touchdown. Despite a flag for defensive pass interference on Ramsey, the call stood, fueling the cornerback’s postgame remarks.
Still, Ramsey stopped short of blaming the referees. He emphasized accountability and preparation instead, saying that elite receivers “get away with (expletive)” but that the Steelers “have to execute when you get the opportunity.” His words echoed the sentiment of T.J. Watt, who later called the defense’s showing “absolutely unacceptable.”
“It seemed like everything went wrong,” Watt said. “Absolutely an unacceptable performance from us on the defensive side of the ball.”
Fans Fire Back After Frustrating Loss
While Ramsey’s remarks reflected competitive emotion, fans quickly turned the criticism back on him.
One user wrote, “I hope he’s talking about himself the way Ja’Marr Chase lit him up last night.”
Another added, “This coming from the guy who got lit up, badly, the whole game.”
Others pointed to technical flaws rather than officiating. “They need to improve footwork… a lot of the PI penalties were a result of poor footwork leading to hand fighting,” one fan noted.
Another echoed the sentiment bluntly: “I’m sorry but this time it’s HIM. HE actually was a liability.”
The criticism reached a common theme that Ramsey “got cooked all night”, as one post put it
Ramsey and the secondary face mounting pressure to correct errors before the slide deepens. Ramsey’s message was clear: the Steelers can’t rely on calls or excuses; only execution will fix what went wrong in Cincinnati.
Vikings Get Huge Boost as $23 Million Star Returns for Eagles Matchup
The Minnesota Vikings have trudged through a slog of injuries through the early portion of the season, and some meaningful players will finally return in Week 7 against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Among the most important names back on the active roster this weekend belongs to linebacker Blake Cashman, who has appeared in just one game this season. Cashman strained his hamstring against the Chicago Bears in Week 1 and has sat out since.
“Cashman, who suffered a hamstring injury while chasing Bears quarterback Caleb Williams to the sideline in Week 1, is expected to start Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles at U.S. Bank Stadium,” Kevin Seifert of ESPN reported on Saturday, October 18.
Blake Cashman Hugely Important to Vikings’ Success Since Joining Team Before Last Season
GettyLinebacker Blake Cashman of Minnesota Vikings.
Cashman came to Minnesota ahead of the 2024 campaign after a two-year stint with the Houston Texans that followed three seasons with the New York Jets to begin his NFL career.
Since joining the Vikings, Cashman’s health has been a strong barometer for the success of not only the defense, but the team as a whole. Seifert noted that the team is 13-1 in games Cashman starts, but has just a .500 record without him (4-4).
Cashman led the team in tackles last season with 112 total (68 solo) across 14 games played. He added eight tackles for loss, eight pass breakups, 4.5 sacks and a fumble recovery.
Including 2025, the 29-year-old has two seasons remaining on his three-year, $22.5 million contract with Minnesota.
Andrew Van Ginkel Out Against Eagles, While J.J. McCarthy to Serve as Emergency QB
GettyOutside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel of the Minnesota Vikings.
Cashman is technically questionable for the contest Sunday, as is quarterback J.J. McCarthy. However, the Vikings have already announced that Carson Wentz will start his fourth consecutive game in place of the second-year pro.
Meanwhile, undrafted rookie signal-caller Max Brosmer will be the backup quarterback, while McCarthy will return in a role as QB3/emergency quarterback.
“He got a ton of reps this week, both with the [first] group and also with getting some really good reps with that look team of feeling the rush of [Jonathan] Greenard, [Dallas] Turner, [Javon] Hargrave, [Jonathan] Allen and really working on some things that are starting to come to fruition,” head coach Kevin O’Connell said of McCarthy.
Entirely absent from the active roster will be edge rusher/outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel.
Van Ginkel remains sidelined with a neck injury he suffered in Week 3. Minnesota had an early bye week after back-to-back games overseas (Dublin, London) in Weeks 4 and 5, so Van Ginkel will miss his third contest on Sunday rather than his fourth.
He was a breakout addition to the Vikings’ defense in 2024, earning a Pro Bowl nod and second-team All Pro honors following a season in which he produced 18 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks, six pass breakups, two interceptions, a forced fumble and two defensive touchdowns.
The good news for Minnesota’s defense, beyond getting Cashman back, is that the Eagles have struggled offensively this season and come to town in Week 7 on the heels of two straight losses, in which they’ve put up just 17 points both times.
