The Miami Dolphins have been trying to trade Jalen Ramsey since before the 2025 NFL Draft. That was back in April.
On Monday, just ahead of July 4, the Dolphins finally found a destination for their high-priced cornerback, sending him to the Pittsburgh Steelers . Below, we get into the biggest winners and losers from the Jalen Ramsey trade, including what the Steelers parted with for their new All-Pro.
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The Steelers didn't just boost their cornerback room; they also got another weapon for their new starting quarterback by adding Jonnu Smith in the deal. Trading George Pickens opened up more opportunities for a secondary playmaker to make an impact, and now the Steelers have another 6-foot-3 weapon to play with.
Trading for the former Pro Bowl tight end also comes with an added benefit with Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith coaching Smith in Tennessee and Atlanta . That should give him a chance to catch on quickly in Pittsburgh.
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The Los Angeles Rams were the one team that openly admitted to having interest in trading for Jalen Ramsey. It didn't help that his former Super Bowl-winning head coach Sean McVay advocated for the three-time All-Pro's return; the Rams weren't able to close the deal.
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Ramsey got what he wanted. Not only did he get traded away from a team that didn't make the playoffs last season, but now he heads to one that did. Plus, instead of taking a pay cut, Ramsey got a $1.5 million raise to go from Miami to Pittsburgh, setting him up to earn $26.5 million this year.
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Minkah Fitzpatrick spent the first two years of his career with the Dolphins, but after failing to reach the playoffs, he was traded to Pittsburgh. Now, after making the postseason four times in six years with the Steelers, Fitzpatrick heads back to where it all started. We're guessing he missed South Beach and that makes him a winner.
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Had the Dolphins not gotten a three-time All-Pro safety in return, they would have been losers in this trade. Yet, getting Minkah Fitzpatrick back is actually pretty good value for having to part with an expensive, aging cornerback they were clearly ready to part with.
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The Dolphins were prepared to lose Ramsey, which would have surely reduced their chances of reaching the postseason. However, the Dolphins didn't just trade him for future assets; they swapped him for a defensive playmaker who can still make an impact in Miami's secondary, which should help Mike McDaniel's job security.
Related: Best NFL corners 2025: Ranking the 10 best NFL cornerbacks right now
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Adding Jalen Ramsey to the Steelers' secondary is bad news for the rest of the AFC North's quarterbacks. While Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson do a good job of keeping the ball out of the hands of opposing defenders, the Cleveland Browns ' quarterback situation is wide open, and they'll have to play the Steelers twice, as will the rest of the AFC North.
Related: NFL defense rankings 2025: Evaluating all 32 defenses after the Jalen Ramsey trade
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Mike Tomlin hasn't won a playoff game since 2016. Aaron Rodgers is 41 years old, and he hasn't played a postseason game since 2021. They're both desperate to experience more playoff success, and this trade helps strengthen the offense and defense. Call it a win-win for Pittsburgh, even if they lose Fitzpatrick in the process.
Related: 2025 NFL QB Rankings: Who's No. 1?
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