Steelers Seriously Shocked Dolphins GM Chris Grier With Their Trade Proposal

The Pittsburgh Steelers shocked many within the fan base when they decided to trade away former All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. The move sent Fitzpatrick back to the team where he originally began his NFL career, the Miami Dolphins, leaving fans and analysts alike questioning Pittsburgh’s decision. Fitzpatrick had been a cornerstone of the Steelers’ defense, and his departure marked one of the most surprising moves of the offseason.

In return, the Steelers acquired cornerback Jalen Ramsey and tight end Jonnu Smith, two players expected to make an immediate impact. Ramsey brings elite coverage skills to the secondary, while Smith is poised to provide a reliable weapon in the passing game and help open up the running attack. Both players arrive in Pittsburgh with high expectations, and the team hopes their presence will stabilize both the offense and defense as they prepare for the upcoming season.

On Wednesday, Dolphins General Manager Chris Grier spoke about the trade, revealing his own surprise at the deal. Grier admitted he was shocked that Steelers General Manager Omar Khan had made Fitzpatrick available, and the Dolphins were eager to act quickly. His comments underscored just how unexpected the move was, highlighting the ripple effect it indeed did have.

"Honestly, I was shocked," Grier said on the Dolphin's YouTube channel when talking about Khan offering Fitzpatrick in the trade. "I was very surprised that we were able to get him. But I do know that Pittsburgh had liked Ramsey a lot for what he could do, and his skill set because he's a very good player as well and getting Jonnu for them, too, was important."

As part of the trade between Pittsburgh and Miami, the Dolphins sent a 2027 seventh-round pick to the Steelers. In return, Miami will receive a 2027 fifth-round pick from Pittsburgh. 

The Steelers traded away a three-time All-Pro in Fitzpatrick to acquire a three-time All-Pro in Ramsey, while also adding an elite talent at tight end in Smith. Still, Grier viewed the deal as a win-win for both parties.

"The way you look at it is they got two players that they liked, and we got a player that we had coveted as well," Grier said. "It was a win-win, and we got a draft pick as well. Win-win for both teams."

It’s still far too early to give a definitive grade on this trade. At first, many pundits criticized the Steelers’ decision to move Fitzpatrick, questioning why the team would part ways with such a talented veteran safety. However, as more details emerged, the reasoning behind the move became clearer, and the decision began to make more sense to both the public and analysts.

Steelers Will Find Out More About The Trade After 2025 Season Concludes

The Steelers won’t truly know how effective their offseason moves were until the 2025 season concludes. If Pittsburgh’s secondary doesn’t show noticeable improvement, this trade could easily be viewed as a loss. Ultimately, the success of the deal will hinge on how Ramsey and Smith perform in Pittsburgh, as well as how Fitzpatrick fares back in Miami.

For now, Grier considers the trade a win-win for both sides. But in the long run, the verdict will rest on on-field results, making the 2025 season the true measure of whether this bold move paid off for the Steelers. The Steelers have operated much differently with Khan calling the shots. He has made it clear that a Super Bowl is all he cares about, and his aggression reflects that.

What grade would you give the Steelers for sending Fitzpatrick to the Dolphins to get back Jalen Ramsey and Jonnu Smith? Let us know in the comments below! Please feel free to share your Steelers takes with me on X @anthonyghalkias and follow me.

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