The Pittsburgh Steelers have made a major splash by trading for three-time All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey, according to ESPN. This move shows the front office is serious about contending right now. Ramsey is still one of the top defensive backs in the NFL and instantly makes the Steelers' defense more dangerous.
Al Diaz / Miami Herald
Dolphins CB Jalen Ramsey celebrating a game-winning INT at Hard Rock Stadium.
As part of the trade, Ramsey will receive a $1.5 million raise this season, bringing his 2025 compensation to $26.6 million. That bump in pay shows how much Pittsburgh values what he brings to the table. They are not just bringing in a big name, but a proven cornerback that can help improve this secondary.
ESPN Sources: The Miami Dolphins have agreed to trade three-time All-Pro CB Jalen Ramsey to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 30, 2025
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… pic.twitter.com/kLMgYfwt34
Moments after Schefter broke the news that the Steelers had traded for Ramsey, an unexpected and dramatic twist followed. Reports quickly confirmed that this was not a typical trade involving draft picks or cash considerations. Instead, the Steelers and Dolphins agreed to a rare player-for-player deal, with Pittsburgh sending star safety Minkah Fitzpatrick to Miami in exchange for Ramsey.
ESPN sources: Steelers traded three-time All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick to the Dolphins in exchange for three-time All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 30, 2025
The rare player-for-player trade, and another trade.
This blockbuster trade completely changes the initial reaction to the news. At first glance, it seemed like a major win for the Steelers, who were landing one of the league’s most respected and talented cornerbacks. However, the fact that it cost them Fitzpatrick makes the move much more complex. Fitzpatrick has been one of the faces of the Steelers’ defense since arriving from Miami in 2019 and has earned multiple All-Pro selections. He’s been a vocal leader, a game-changer in coverage, and one of the most reliable playmakers in the league.
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Miami Dolphins' CB Jalen Ramsey putting his towel over his head in disappointment following a tough loss.
Now the Steelers are swapping elite talent in the back end of their defense. Ramsey brings a physical, aggressive presence on the outside and can match up with top wide receivers, something Pittsburgh has lacked in recent seasons. However, losing Fitzpatrick leaves a major void at safety that will need to be addressed, either internally or through another move.
Steelers Are Going All In On Their Super Bowl Hopes
It’s a bold and risky trade that could pay off in a big way or raise even more questions about the future of the Steelers' secondary. What’s clear is that the Steelers are not standing still. They’re making aggressive moves with their eyes locked on a championship. Steelers fans have been critical of the front office in recent years, but this offseason has proven that the team is not remaining stagnant. They’ve made both risky and wise decisions, and now the fanbase will have to wait and see if those gambles pay off during the 2025 season.
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Dolphins' Jonnu Smith runs with the football during the Pro Bowl.
One more major wrinkle unfolded in this wild trade on Monday morning. Schefter revealed that the Steelers are also acquiring tight end Jonnu Smith from the Dolphins. Talk about some unexpected changes. According to Schefter, the Steelers and Dolphins are completing a late-round pick swap as part of the deal for Smith, per ESPN sources.
The Steelers made some big changes and significant improvements on Monday when this trade went down. It’s going to be fascinating to see how everything unfolds in the months ahead.
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