Steelers Send Superstar Safety to Dolphins in Blockbuster Trade
Monday morning, it was reported that the Steelers had reached an agreement with the Dolphins to send All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick in a deal for veteran cornerback Jalen Ramsey. Trade rumors surrounding Ramsey have intensified, and now we have a deal. Moments after the trade was reported, the Dolphins also sent Jonnu Smith to the Steelers in exchange for a late-round draft pick. It’s all part of one deal, with the Dolphins sending two key players who were in search of a new team/contract. The full trade includes Ramsey and Smith to Pittsburgh, and Minkah and a 2027 pick swap going to the Dolphins, which gives Miami an extra fifth-round pick.
Jalen Ramsey will receive a $1.5 million bonus as part of the deal, increasing his salary to $26.6 million in 2025. At 29 years old, and only making $15.5 million in 2025, Minkah is in his prime NFL years and will be ready for a contract at the end of the 2026 season. Many people are speculating around this deal, wondering why the Steelers would trade a safety in his prime for an older cornerback who is making more money. However, some don’t think Ramsey can still play at an elite level. Last season, he racked up 60 tackles, two interceptions, and 11 pass breakups, allowing an 83.2 passer rating to opposing quarterbacks. The Steelers might just have the best cornerback trio in the league with this new addition.
The Dolphins have made it clear for a while now that they have been trying to move Jalen Ramsey. This likely boils down to financial issues, with Tua Tagovailoa's recent extension. His contract was structured to see his salary cap rise from $9.5 million in 2024 to $39.2 million in 2025. Recently, there has also been a lot of talk surrounding tight end Jonnu Smith and his involvement with the Steelers. He is now on his way to Pittsburgh after the team finalized the second part of the Ramsey deal. The Dolphins have put a lot of stock into their top guys, such as Tua, Tyreek Hill, Ramsey, and Bradley Chubb. With this trade, they free up some cap space, hopefully looking to add some depth to the roster.
