The Miami Dolphins and cornerback Jalen Ramsey are getting their wish: Ramsey is headed out of town.
According to NFL. Network’s Ian Rapoport, Ramsey, a seven-time Pro Bowl selection, is being sent to the Pittsburgh Steelers in a “blockbuster trade” Rapoport reported that Ramsey’s adjusted contract “includes a $1.5 million raise in 2025 making his salary $26.6 million this year.”
Dolphins General Manager Chris Grier confirmed in his pre-draft news conference in April that the Dolphins were looking to part with Ramsey, but the deal was delayed because of salary cap implications. By waiting until after June 1, the Dolphins will have $6.7 million in dead money against this season’s cap, as opposed to $25 million had they made a pre-June 1 move.
Grier said Ramsey had not requested a trade but that the sides agreed to part.
“We decided that it was probably in the best interest for all parties to move forward,” Grier said without elaborating.
Ramsey was given a three-year, $72.3 million extension before the 2024 season. His contract is fully guaranteed for $25.1 million in 2025. The Dolphins have paid his $4 million roster bonus, but he’s still due the balance.
“It’s never easy to replace a player like Jalen,” Grier said. “He was a good player for us. He’s a good player. He’ll probably be a Hall of Famer, but for the Miami Dolphins going forward, we feel like this is the best chance to help us win not only just this year, but in the future as well.”
Defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver said he held no grudge against Ramsey for exiting.
“I have a tremendous amount of respect for Ramsey,” Weaver said. “He played very good ball for us, but relationships are hard, right? He’s chosen to go other ways and I respect and I wish him nothing but the best moving forward.”
Ramsey, 30, was acquired on March 15, 2023, for a third-round pick and tight end Hunter Long.
He appeared in 27 games for the Dolphins, finishing with five interceptions, 82 tackles and 16 passes defensed. He made the Pro Bowl in his first season in Miami but not the past season.
Ramsey, who entered the league as a first-round pick of Jacksonville in 2016 out of Florida State, is expected to someday be a candidate for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He is a three-time All-Pro and has been listed among the NFL’s top 100 players seven times, placing as high as ninth in 2022. The Jaguars traded him to the Los Angeles Rams in 2019.
Ramsey’s Dolphins career got off to a bumpy start. He suffered a knee injury in preseason and wasn’t able to debut until Oct. 29, 2023, against New England. But he made an interception against Mac Jones on the Miami 11-yard line, returning it 49 yards to set up a field goal.
He also had two interceptions against Las Vegas that year, with one coming in the end zone with 32 seconds left.
Ramsey’s 2024 highlights included an interception against Buffalo’s Josh Allen and another against Las Vegas’ Gardner Minshew. The takeaway vs. the Raiders came in the final 3 1/2 minutes and helped seal a victory.
Ramsey’s departure leaves the Dolphins in search of cornerback help. The current contenders to start include Cam Smith, Storm Duck, Jason Marshall, Ethan Bonner and Ryan Cooper.
Dolphins reporter Hal Habib can be reached at hhabib@pbpost.com. Follow him on social media @gunnerhal. Click here to subscribe.
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This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Jalen Ramsey trade: Miami Dolphins send Pro Bowl CB to Pittsburgh Steelers