The Jalen Ramsey trade saga is coming to an end. The All-Pro corner is on the move, but not out west as many predicted.
The Dolphins have reached agreement with the Steelers on a Ramsey swap, Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network report. Pittsburgh recently emerged as probably the most recent team prone to be eliminated from the list of landing spots on this case, but a trade has nevertheless been worked out and is now official. Ramsey will receive a $3MM bump in pay as a part of this deal.
With the Dolphins paying $7MM of the $26.6MM Ramsey was owed this season, Rapoport reports the Steelers shall be chargeable for the rest of that total. Pittsburgh will thus pay him $19.6MM in 2025.
Adding an unexpected layer to this blockbuster deal, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports safety Minkah Fitzpatrick is headed the opposite way within the swap. Fitzpatrick began his profession in Miami, and the previous first-rounder was dealt to the Steelers in 2019. He’ll now return to his original team for 2025. This represents the primary time since 2002 there have been players with five or more Pro Bowl nods traded for each other (h/t Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports).
Rapoport notes the Rams and Steelers were the 2 primary Ramsey suitors, with Los Angeles long representing the expected destination in this case. He adds Pittsburgh was out of the running until very recently, but that has obviously modified moderately quickly. Ramsey himself has confirmed that he’s headed to the Steelers, which shall be his fourth profession team.
The three-time All-Pro spent the past two seasons in Miami, rebounding from his injury-shortened 2023 campaign to play a full slate last 12 months. Ramsey appeared set to stay in South Beach for the foreseeable future when he agreed to a lucrative extension last offseason, but a falling out with head coach Mike McDaniel led to the mutual decision a parting of the way could be best. Ramsey was on the trade block through the spring, however the list of suitors publicly expressing interest proved to be moderately short.
Rams head coach Sean McVay made it clear the team was open to a Ramsey reunion (after he helped the team win the Super Bowl in 2021). Funds were a sticking point on this case, nevertheless. The seven-time Pro Bowler has already received a $4MM roster bonus from Miami, but his outstanding $21MM-plus in compensation for the 12 months is guaranteed. Ramsey is on the books for one more three yeas after the approaching campaign, but an adjustment to his pact has been expected upon arrival with an acquiring team.
Despite a limited market emerging, the Dolphins remained steadfast of their desire to maneuver on from Ramsey. The 30-year-old has proven to be certainly one of the league’s top corners over the course of his profession, although age will grow to be a priority during his Steelers tenure. Nonetheless, Pittsburgh’s CB depth chart now includes one other standout veteran after the team added Darius Slay in free agency. Those two will join returnee Joey Porter Jr. in a secondary which is able to look much different in 2025.
Fitzpatrick only played 18 games during his first Dolphins tenure. Expectations were high for the previous No. 11 pick, but his departure got here about as a part of the team’s maneuvering upfront of the 2020 draft (which brought in regards to the number of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa). Upon arrival in Pittsburgh, Fitzpatrick shone and earned first-team All-Pro honors. He remained productive through the next years.
Nonetheless, things took an unwanted turn following the 2022 campaign (one by which Fitzpatrick recorded a league-leading six interceptions). Over the past two seasons, the Alabama product has been limited to only one pick and 7 pass deflections while operating in several areas on the sphere. A five-time Pro Bowler, Fitzpatrick will aim to return to his previous form during his second Dolphins stint. His original team has a notable emptiness on the cornerback spot, but he’ll provide starting play at the security position.
Two years remain on Fitzpatrick’s contract, and he is ready to hold cap charges of $22.36MM and $24.46MM as things stand. With none of his remaining base salaries guaranteed, the Steelers will create $15.5MM in savings while generating a dead money charge of only $6.86MM. Those figures will help absorb the incoming Ramsey pact.
Pittsburgh has made a variety of aggressive moves this offseason, deviating from standard operating procedure. The additions of Aaron Rodgers and D.K Metcalf were geared toward upgrading on offense, a unit which has been further augmented with today’s blockbuster. Ramsey will aim to further fuel the team’s Super Bowl aspirations for what is going to likely be a one-and-done Rodgers season. The Dolphins, meanwhile, will move forward in 2025 with a much different core by way of veterans on either side of the ball.