Pittsburgh, PA – The Pittsburgh Steelers have reportedly completed a significant acquisition, securing All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey from the Miami Dolphins in a blockbuster trade finalized on Monday, June 30, 2025.
The move sends the prominent 30-year-old defensive back to the AFC North, marking a major shift in the league’s competitive landscape just ahead of the upcoming NFL season. The trade details, first reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, involve adjustments to Ramsey’s existing contract as he transitions to the Steelers.
Contract Restructure and Immediate Impact
As part of the complex agreement facilitating the trade, Jalen Ramsey’s contract has been restructured. This adjustment includes a notable $1.5 million raise for the veteran cornerback, elevating his guaranteed salary for the 2025 season to $26.6 million. This financial commitment underscores the Steelers’ belief in Ramsey’s continued elite performance and his immediate value to their defense.
Ramsey himself wasted no time confirming the widely reported transaction, taking to his official X account to signal the impending change of teams. While specific draft capital or players involved in the exchange were not immediately detailed in the initial reports, the focus remains squarely on the arrival of a player of Ramsey’s caliber in Pittsburgh.
Ramsey’s Tenure in Miami
This trade concludes Jalen Ramsey’s relatively brief but impactful tenure with the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins had acquired Ramsey prior to the 2023 NFL season in a high-profile deal with the Los Angeles Rams. That earlier trade saw Miami send a third-round draft pick and tight end Hunter Long to Los Angeles to secure the services of the lockdown corner.
Upon his arrival in South Florida, the Dolphins demonstrated their long-term commitment to Ramsey by giving him an additional $25 million in guaranteed money, signaling his importance to their defensive scheme.
Performance Amidst Challenges
Ramsey’s time in Miami was marked by both moments of brilliance and challenges, particularly related to injuries. Despite battling significant injury setbacks during the 2023 season, he consistently demonstrated why he is considered one of the league’s top cornerbacks when healthy. His ability to shadow opposing team’s premier receivers remained evident.
In September following his arrival in Miami, Ramsey signed a substantial three-year contract extension worth $72.3 million with the Dolphins. At the time of signing, this agreement solidified his status as the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL, with an annual average salary of $24.1 million. This extension further highlighted the Dolphins’ initial plans to build their secondary around him.
The 2024 season saw Ramsey remain remarkably durable, appearing in all 17 regular-season games for the Dolphins. However, in a surprising turn, the 2024 season also marked the first time since 2019 that he did not receive a selection to the NFL Pro Bowl, a testament to the consistent high level of play he had maintained throughout his career.
Implications for the Steelers
The acquisition of Jalen Ramsey represents a significant reinforcement for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense, a unit historically known for its tenacity and playmaking ability. Ramsey brings a veteran presence, proven leadership, and elite coverage skills to a Steelers secondary that has sought to bolster its top-tier talent.
His presence is expected to immediately elevate the performance of the entire defensive backfield, providing defensive coordinator Teryl Austin with a versatile piece capable of playing multiple roles, including outside corner and potentially even nickel coverage depending on scheme needs. Facing potent passing attacks within the AFC, adding a player like Ramsey could be pivotal to Pittsburgh’s aspirations.
Implications for the Dolphins
For the Miami Dolphins, trading Ramsey signals a potential strategic pivot or a move driven by salary cap considerations and future roster planning. While Ramsey provided significant talent, his substantial contract and the capital potentially received in return (which remains undisclosed) could provide Miami with greater financial flexibility or resources to address other areas of need on the roster. Moving on from the highest-paid player at his position is a decision likely made after careful consideration of the team’s overall competitive window and cap structure.
Career Context and Legacy
Jalen Ramsey, originally drafted 5th overall in the 2016 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars, has established himself as one of the premier defensive players of his generation. Prior to his trade to Miami, he was a cornerstone of the Los Angeles Rams’ defense, contributing significantly to their Super Bowl LVI championship victory.
His move to Pittsburgh adds another chapter to the career of a player widely recognized for his confidence, physicality, and ability to shut down opposing receivers. Joining the storied Steelers franchise, known for its defensive heritage, places Ramsey in a position to potentially further cement his legacy.
Looking Ahead
The trade finalized on Monday, June 30, 2025, immediately becomes one of the most significant transactions of the NFL offseason. It reshapes the defensive landscape for both the Miami Dolphins and the Pittsburgh Steelers and will be closely watched as the 2025 season approaches. How Ramsey integrates into the Steelers’ system and the performance of both teams in the wake of this move will be key storylines throughout the year.
