Monday, June 30, 2025, marked a blockbuster moment in the NFL offseason as the Miami Dolphins and Pittsburgh Steelers finalized a major trade that sent shockwaves through the league. The Dolphins traded cornerback Jalen Ramsey, Pro Bowl tight end Jonnu Smith, and a 2027 seventh-round draft pick to the Steelers in exchange for All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and a 2027 fifth-round pick. This high-profile swap not only reshapes both teams’ rosters but also signals strategic shifts as they prepare for the 2025 NFL season.
Jalen Ramsey, a three-time first-team All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowler, confirmed the trade himself on X, posting, “Break my own news! #HereWeGo @steelers.” The veteran cornerback, 30, is expected to earn $26.6 million this season after receiving a $1.5 million raise as part of the deal. Ramsey, who signed a three-year, $72 million extension before the 2024 season, remains under contract through 2028, though he is owed no guaranteed money after 2025.
Ramsey’s departure from Miami was anticipated after a turbulent offseason. Dolphins general manager Chris Grier explained in April that while Ramsey did not request a trade or a contract extension, multiple conversations led both sides to agree that moving on was the best path forward. “It is never easy to replace a player like Jalen,” Grier said. “He was a good player for us, and he’ll probably be a Hall of Famer. For the Miami Dolphins going forward, we felt like this is the best chance to win, not only just this year but in the future as well.”
Ramsey’s 2024 season with Miami saw him record 60 tackles, a sack, and two interceptions, holding opposing quarterbacks to an 83.2 passer rating when targeted. A Florida State product, Ramsey was drafted fifth overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2016, later traded to the Los Angeles Rams, where he won a Super Bowl in 2021 before joining Miami in 2023.
Alongside Ramsey, tight end Jonnu Smith also heads to Pittsburgh. Smith, 29, enjoyed a career-best 2024 season with the Dolphins, hauling in 88 receptions for 884 yards and eight touchdowns, earning his first Pro Bowl nod. Despite his breakout year, Smith was a popular trade candidate amid contract negotiations and sat out offseason workouts until a new deal was agreed upon. The Steelers have extended Smith’s contract by one year at $12 million, securing his services through the 2026 season.
Smith’s reunion with Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, under whom he played in Tennessee and Atlanta, is expected to be seamless. Pittsburgh’s offense, which ran a league-high 163 plays from 13 personnel (one running back, three tight ends) last season, will benefit from Smith’s versatility. He can line up as a receiver, blocker, or hybrid H-back, complementing existing tight ends Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington, and providing quarterback Aaron Rodgers with a dynamic new target.
For the Dolphins, acquiring Minkah Fitzpatrick represents a homecoming for the 28-year-old safety. Drafted 11th overall by Miami in 2018, Fitzpatrick played just a season and a half before requesting a trade due to dissatisfaction with his role under then-head coach Brian Flores. Traded to Pittsburgh in 2019, Fitzpatrick blossomed into one of the NFL’s premier safeties, earning five Pro Bowls and three All-Pro selections, along with a lucrative four-year, $73 million contract extension in 2022.
While Fitzpatrick’s interception numbers have dwindled recently—just one in the past two seasons—he remains a reliable tackler and a key defensive presence. His return to Miami bolsters a Dolphins secondary that lost an elite talent in Ramsey. However, Fitzpatrick’s versatility mainly shines at safety, whereas Miami now faces a cornerback depth shortage. Remaining corners include Kader Kohou, Storm Duck, Cam Smith, and others, but none match Ramsey’s caliber.
Smith’s departure also leaves Miami thin at tight end. After releasing veteran Durham Smythe in February 2025, the Dolphins’ only returning tight end with significant playing time is Julian Hill, who caught 12 passes for 100 yards in 2024 and was graded as Miami’s worst offensive player by Pro Football Focus. Other tight ends on the roster, such as Pharaoh Brown, Tanner Conner, and Hayden Rucci, lack Smith’s production and experience.
The trade also includes a swap of 2027 draft picks: Miami receives a fifth-round pick, while Pittsburgh gets a seventh-rounder. Financially, the Dolphins gain nearly $100 million in cumulative cap relief over five years, easing long-term salary constraints. Meanwhile, the Steelers absorb most of Ramsey’s $26.6 million salary for 2025, paying all but approximately $7 million of his deal this season.
This move is part of a larger Steelers offseason overhaul, which has already seen them acquire quarterback Aaron Rodgers on a one-year, $13.65 million deal and wide receiver DK Metcalf. The team also traded away George Pickens and did not re-sign Najee Harris or starting quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. Adding Ramsey and Smith strengthens both their defense and offense, positioning Pittsburgh as a serious contender in the AFC North and the wider NFL.
Ramsey’s arrival gives the Steelers a secondary loaded with talent, joining Darius Slay Jr. and Joey Porter Jr. The team’s defensive scheme, which frequently uses subpackages and three-safety looks, can utilize Ramsey’s versatility. He can play outside corner, nickel, or even safety, allowing Pittsburgh to disguise coverages and adapt to opponents.
For the Dolphins, the trade signals a crossroads. Head coach Mike McDaniel faces mounting pressure after Miami’s 8-9 finish in 2024 that ended their three-year playoff streak. Losing two key contributors in Ramsey and Smith weakens both defense and offense, challenging the team to find new leaders and contributors quickly. The Dolphins’ rebuilding efforts will focus on developing young talent like Storm Duck at cornerback and hoping new additions can fill the gaps.
Overall, this blockbuster trade reshapes the futures of both franchises. Pittsburgh gains immediate upgrades on both sides of the ball, aligning with their aggressive offseason moves to contend in what is expected to be Aaron Rodgers’ final NFL season. Miami, meanwhile, bets on Fitzpatrick’s return and salary relief to build a roster capable of rebounding in a competitive AFC East.
