The Miami Dolphins traded three-time All-Pro Jalen Ramsey to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday morning. With the rumors circulating for over a month, the move finally happened. But, there was a stunning twist to the trade, as the return for Ramsey was not what many expected.
According to ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter, the Dolphins are receiving former Dolphins first-round pick and All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick as the return for Ramsey.
Miami needed to add a safety at some point in the offseason, but this way of doing things is a surprising way to resolve their issue. The Dolphins and the Steelers are exchanging secondary players, as the Dolphins reunite with their former first-round pick from 2018.
Fitzpatrick previously spent the 2018 and 2019 seasons with the Dolphins before being sent to Pittsburgh near the beginning of the 2019 season. Miami got a haul from the Steelers, including a first-round pick, a fifth-round pick, and a sixth-round pick.
Miami now gets back Fitzpatrick five years later as a part of the massive June 30th trade, which also involves tight end Jonnu Smith and a draft pick. The Dolphins sent Ramsey and Smith to the Steelers and got back their former first-round safety.
Miami Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey (5) celebrates after his interception against the Las Vegas Raiders during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium.
Miami Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey (5) celebrates after his interception against the Las Vegas Raiders during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium.
Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images
The stunning deal lands the Dolphins a safety they need, and with Fitzpatrick under contract through the 2026 season, they have him locked up for the next two seasons.
Fitzpatrick will make $15.5 million in 2025 and $17.6 million in 2026. The Dolphins landed the three-time All-Pro safety, reuniting with him after trading him away in 2019.
The Dolphins and Steelers trade is a stunner, as the Dolphins send away both Ramsey and Smith, while landing Fitzpatrick and a draft pick. Fitzpatrick is coming off his third Pro Bowl season in a row and will help bolster the Dolphins' secondary.