Jalen Ramsey Wants Back on the West Coast
The Jalen Ramsey trade watch has officially entered its final phase, and all signs are pointing west. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the former All-Pro cornerback would prefer to land back in Los Angeles, ideally with the Rams, the team he helped guide to a Super Bowl title just two seasons ago. "Ramsey would like to go to the West Coast, to Los Angeles, Rams, Chargers, somewhere like that," Schefter said Friday on The Pat McAfee Show. The Rams, who traded Ramsey to the Dolphins last year in a cap-saving move, have remained a steady name in the rumor mill as Miami explores trade options. While the Chargers haven't been directly linked to Ramsey, they make logistical sense: they have the cap space, positional need, and a coach in Jim Harbaugh building a tough, win-now roster.
Ramsey is owed a fully guaranteed $24.235 million for the 2025 season, making him one of the most expensive cornerbacks in football. That price tag is likely the reason why the Dolphins haven’t already completed a deal since becoming eligible to trade him post-June first with favorable cap consequences. The Rams are known to be interested, but head coach Sean McVay didn’t sugarcoat the financial hurdles. "We’re always open-minded to onboarding and acquiring quality players and people like him, if we’re able to do that," McVay said earlier this week. "There would be some obstacles that are real."
Those “obstacles” likely refer to the Rams’ tight salary cap situation. While the Rams have made cost-conscious moves this offseason, such as drafting heavily on defense and letting veterans walk, bringing back Ramsey would require either a restructured deal or Miami agreeing to absorb part of the salary. On the other side of the locker room hallway, the Chargers are better equipped financially. With over $27 million in cap space, GM Joe Hortiz has the flexibility to take on Ramsey’s deal. Though they’ve added veterans Donte Jackson and Benjamin St-Juste, the Bolts still have questions at cornerback, especially with Asante Samuel Jr. still unsigned.
Schefter believes a deal will happen before training camp opens in mid-July, and that timeline benefits all parties. Miami rids itself of the looming distraction, Ramsey gets settled in with his next team, and a new defense gets the benefit of a full camp with one of the league’s top corners. Any team eyeing Ramsey will want him in the building before Week One, not playing catch-up after an August move. That makes now the sweet spot for serious talks, and perhaps a bidding war.
For Ramsey, a Rams reunion would make for a compelling storyline. He was a central figure in their 2021 Super Bowl run and remained a dominant force through 2022. McVay and his staff know how to use him, and his return would elevate a young secondary still in development. For the Chargers, it could be a chance to capitalize on a rare opportunity to acquire a proven, championship-caliber leader for a playoff-hopeful roster. For Ramsey, it’s clear that L.A. is home. Whether it’s with the Rams or a surprise push from the Bolts, expect the Jalen Ramsey sweepstakes to heat up fast. Both L.A. teams have reasons to be interested. The only question now is, who’s going to pull the trigger?
