Steelers Get Important News After Trading For Jalen Ramsey

The Pittsburgh Steelers pulled off a big time trade on Monday morning with the Miami Dolphins. The Steelers traded away star safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, but in return got two players from the Dolphins who improved their roster in Jalen Ramsey and Jonnu Smith. Ramsey brings elite talent and experience to the cornerback position, while Smith adds depth and versatility to the tight end room. It’s a bold move by the Steelers, signaling they are going all in for the 2025 season.

According to NFL insider Adam Schefter, Ramsey will receive a $1.5 million raise this season, bringing his total compensation for 2025 to $26.6 million. That is a significant investment for a 30-year-old cornerback, but Pittsburgh clearly believes Ramsey can still perform at a high level. His presence should also help stabilize a secondary that struggled with consistency last season, especially with the loss of Fitzpatrick.

While appearing on The Pat McAfee Show, Schefter shared important context about how the trade came together. He reported that the Steelers had been exploring trade options involving Fitzpatrick for weeks and were waiting for the right opportunity. When the Dolphins expressed interest, Pittsburgh pushed to include Ramsey and Smith in the deal. The result is a blockbuster swap that could reshape both teams heading into the new season.

"I would think that the Dolphins are paying some of the Jalen Ramsey contract," Schefter said. "I can't imagine that the Steelers took on the entire contract and gave him a raise. That would not be in my mind something that is practical. I don’t think, but again, you have to see how it played out."

Schefter did leave the door open for the possibility that the Steelers could be absorbing the entirety of Ramsey’s salary, but he made it clear that such a scenario would be surprising. Based on his years of experience covering high-profile trades and the way financial details usually unfold, Schefter expressed confidence that the Steelers likely worked out a deal that includes the Dolphins paying a portion of Ramsey’s hefty contract. He emphasized that it simply wouldn’t make much sense for Pittsburgh to take on the full $26.6 million owed to a 30-year-old cornerback without some salary relief.

Soon after Schefter's statement on Monday, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport followed up with new details regarding Ramsey's salary.

While speaking on The Pat McAfee Show, Schefter hinted that internal conversations between both front offices likely revolved heavily around the financial structure of the deal. He noted that these types of negotiations almost always involve some compromise on salary when older, expensive players are dealt, especially when a team is moving a star player like Fitzpatrick in return. 

According to reports prior to the trade, Miami was expected to retain some of Ramsey’s salary, which aligns with Schefter’s belief, as well as Rapoport's report, that the Steelers would not have agreed to the trade otherwise. 

Steelers' Defense Gets Better Heading Into 2025 Season

If the Dolphins do indeed end up eating a portion of Ramsey’s salary, it turns what was already a strong deal for Pittsburgh into a potentially franchise-altering win. Not only do the Steelers gain a likely future Hall of Fame cornerback and a starting-caliber tight end, but they also do so without completely tying up their financial flexibility for 2025. 

In a league where managing the cap is just as important as on-field performance, this trade could go down as one of the smartest moves the Steelers have made in recent years—especially if Ramsey returns to form and helps solidify a defense in need of veteran leadership. The Steelers' defense struggled in the biggest moments of the 2024 season. 

They have done an aggressive job of trying to fix those issues. Many believe Pittsburgh is doing that with the moves they have made on Monday. There have also been reports that Omar Khan may not be done making moves to improve this roster.

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