ESPN Sources: The Miami Dolphins have agreed to trade three-time All-Pro CB Jalen Ramsey to the Pittsburgh Steelers. As a part of the trade, Ramsey will get a $1.5 million raise this season, bringing his 2025 compensation up to $26.6 million. Steelers get their man and Ramsey gets another raise..see more.
BREAKING NEWS: Miami Dolphins Trade All-Pro CB Jalen Ramsey to Pittsburgh Steelers in Blockbuster Deal
In a stunning move that reshapes the defensive landscape of the AFC, the Miami Dolphins have agreed to trade three-time All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey to the Pittsburgh Steelers, multiple ESPN sources confirmed Monday. The trade, which had been the subject of speculation for weeks, was finalized after both teams negotiated a structure that benefits each side. As part of the deal, Ramsey will receive a $1.5 million pay raise for the 2025 season, boosting his total compensation to $26.6 million.
This high-profile acquisition instantly strengthens Pittsburgh’s secondary and signals an aggressive push for contention in the upcoming NFL season. For Ramsey, the deal provides not only a financial incentive but also a new chapter with one of the league’s most storied franchises.
A Major Acquisition for Pittsburgh
With the AFC North shaping up to be one of the most competitive divisions in football, the Steelers knew they needed to upgrade their defense to keep pace with the likes of the Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, and the ascending Cleveland Browns. Jalen Ramsey brings elite coverage skills, physicality, and championship pedigree—traits Pittsburgh has been searching for in their secondary.
Ramsey, 30, still plays at an elite level and has consistently been one of the NFL’s top shutdown corners. Despite battling through a knee injury last season, he returned to the field late in the year and immediately reminded everyone of his prowess, recording multiple interceptions and pass breakups in crucial games.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, known for his defensive acumen, will now have the opportunity to mold a unit featuring Ramsey, star safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, and standout edge rusher T.J. Watt. Together, they could form the backbone of one of the most dangerous defenses in the league.
“This is a culture fit,” one AFC executive noted. “Ramsey brings swagger, experience, and a win-now mentality that meshes perfectly with Tomlin’s approach.”
What the Dolphins Get
While Miami parts ways with one of the cornerstones of its defense, the trade was motivated by cap considerations and a desire to retool the roster. By trading Ramsey, the Dolphins will clear significant cap space, giving them more flexibility to address other pressing needs, such as offensive line depth and the ongoing contract situation with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
Though the full trade compensation has not yet been disclosed, sources indicate the Dolphins will receive a package that includes multiple draft picks, possibly a second-rounder in 2025, along with a promising young defensive back. Miami GM Chris Grier is banking on depth and development to sustain the team’s defensive prowess moving forward.
“This was a difficult decision,” Grier said in a statement released Monday. “Jalen was a leader for us both on and off the field. But at this point in our build, we had to make a strategic decision for the long-term vision of the franchise.”
Ramsey’s New Deal
Beyond the trade itself, Jalen Ramsey secured a raise as part of his agreement to join the Steelers. According to sources, Pittsburgh sweetened the deal by adding $1.5 million to Ramsey’s 2025 salary, taking his total earnings for the year to $26.6 million.
While Ramsey was already among the highest-paid corners in the league, this latest contract tweak reaffirms his value and status as one of the top defensive players in the NFL.
“I’ve always bet on myself,” Ramsey tweeted shortly after the trade became public. “And I’ll always deliver. Pittsburgh, let’s work.”
The tweet was accompanied by a video montage of his career highlights and ended with a shot of the iconic Steelers logo, setting social media ablaze with excitement from fans and players alike.
Steelers Eyeing Deep Playoff Run
The Steelers have long prided themselves on physical, defense-first football, and this move reinforces that identity. Coming off a season where they narrowly missed the divisional round, the team is pushing all their chips in for 2025.
With quarterback Kenny Pickett entering a pivotal year, bolstered by improved offensive weapons and now a reinvigorated defense led by Ramsey, the Steelers believe they are ready to challenge for the AFC crown.
NFL insiders are already calling this one of the offseason’s most impactful trades.
“This is the type of bold move that can shift the balance of power in a division,” said ESPN’s Adam Schefter. “And with the Steelers, it always starts with defense.”
Looking Ahead
For Ramsey, the move represents another challenge and another opportunity to add to his already illustrious legacy. A Super Bowl champion with the Los Angeles Rams and a perennial Pro Bowler, Ramsey joins a Steelers team built on tradition, toughness, and titles.
“I’ve admired the Steelers from afar for years,” Ramsey said during his introductory press conference. “It’s a franchise built on greatness, and I’m here to win. Let’s go get that seventh ring.”
As the NFL world digests this seismic trade, one thing is clear: the Pittsburgh Steelers have made their intentions known, and they’ve got their man. The AFC just got a whole lot more interesting.