Oct 29, 2023; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey (5) reacts as he takes the field prior to the game against the New England Patriots at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images The Pittsburgh Steelers acquired All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey from the Miami Dolphins, multiple news outlets reported Monday.
Ramsey confirmed the development on X, posting: “Break my own news! #HereWeGo @steelers.”
The Steelers also will receive tight end Jonnu Smith, ESPN reported. Pittsburgh is sending All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and an unspecified late-round draft pick to Miami to complete the blockbuster trade, per ESPN.
Ramsey, 30, did not attend Miami’s mandatory minicamp earlier this month while the team attempted to secure a trade partner. The Steelers and Los Angeles Rams were considered the most likely destinations.
Dolphins general manager Chris Grier said prior to the 2025 NFL Draft that Ramsey didn’t request a trade, but they came to the joint realization that a potential move made sense following several conversations about his contract.
Ramsey signed a three-year contract extension in September 2024 and started all 17 games for Miami, posting two interceptions, 11 passes defensed and 60 tackles last season.
ESPN reported that the Steelers are giving Ramsey a $1.5 million raise in 2025 as part of the agreement, bumping his compensation to $26.6 million.
Ramsey went to Miami in March 2023 in a trade with the Rams for a third-round pick and tight end Hunter Long. Ramsey missed the first seven games that season with a knee injury, but he still made the Pro Bowl for the seventh time.
Ramsey has tallied 24 interceptions, 108 passes defensed and 534 tackles in 135 career games (134 starts) with the Jacksonville Jaguars (2016-19), Rams (2019-22) and Dolphins. The Jaguars drafted him with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2016 draft.
Ramsey joins a loaded Steelers secondary that includes incumbent starter Joey Porter Jr. and offseason signee Darius Slay Jr.
Fitzpatrick, 28, is a five-time Pro Bowl and three-time All-Pro selection who launched his career in Miami as a first-round pick (11th overall) in the 2018 NFL Draft.
Fitzpatrick recorded 96 tackles and one interception in 17 starts last season. He has 20 picks, 54 passes defensed and 608 tackles in 106 career games (101 starts) with the Dolphins (2018-19) and Steelers. Miami traded him to Pittsburgh in September 2019.
He signed a four-year, $73.6 million deal with the Steelers in June 2022 and is set to earn $15.5 million in 2025 and $17.6 million in 2026.
Smith, 29, was selected in the third round of the 2017 draft by the Tennessee Titans and spent his first four seasons there, followed by two seasons with the New England Patriots and one each with the Atlanta Falcons and Dolphins.
In 17 games (six starts) last season, he caught 88 passes for 884 yards with eight touchdowns. He was selected to his first Pro Bowl. In 124 career games (84 starts), he has 307 receptions for 3,307 yards and 28 scores.
–Field Level Media
