The trade that sent Jalen Ramsey from the Miami Dolphins to the Pittsburgh Steelers last month felt like a win-win for both teams.
The Steelers received a cornerback that still has CB1 capabilities to add to their cornerback room, and the Dolphins in exchange obtained the rights to Minkah Fitzpatrick, who despite showing some signs of decline is still one of the better safeties in the NFL.
And it seems like the third winner from the whole extended trade debacle is in fact Ramsey, as more details of the financial side of the deal have come out, per ESPN’s Field Yates.
– the Dolphins paid out $3M of Jalen Ramsey’s 2025 compensation to help facilitate the deal
– the Steelers added $1.5M to Ramsey’s 2025 compensation, borrowing $1.5M from next year’s salary to do so
– Ramsey had
Jalen Ramsey Gets Some Financial Rewards From The Steelers Post Trade
The two main facets of Fields’ report that have an impact on on Ramsey’s finances are the pushing forward of $1.5 million to his compensation for this coming season from 2026, and the conversion of the per-game roster bonuses to base salary, adding to his pre-season guarantees – providing he makes the roster.
These may not seem like a lot, but for a player entering the final few years of his playing career, who may end up getting cut at really any point over the next two seasons, having more security and guaranteed money will certainly mean something.
Moreover – and perhaps even more importantly – it starts Ramsey’s tenure with Pittsburgh on the right foot. Nice gestures made out of generosity are seldom overlooked, and for a team that is looking to get over the 9-8 hump under Mike Tomlin and new quarterback Aaron Rodgers, any avenue to get the last bit of juice out of their most talented players should be explored.
Will The Dolphins’ Secondary Stay Afloat Without Ramsey?
Potentially not. The combination of 2024 undrafted free agent, Storm Duck, and Cam Smith – a 2023 second round pick who has shown very little bona fide starting prowess in his first two seasons as a pro – as outside cornerbacks will not be thrilling Dolphins fans.
However, such is the dearth of talent at corner, it is entirely possible that Ramsey would have been unable to make the position group much better than a bottom-10 one across the NFL, even if he had remained with Miami.
With the addition fo Fitzpatrick, there will a veteran, calming presence at free safety alongside the winner of the other safety spot; in all likelihood either Ifeatu Melifonwu or Ashtyn Davis.
And as still one of the elite free safeties in football, he will allow the young corners – particularly Duck and Smith on the perimeter, a bit more security and freedom to go out and make plays, without having to live in constant fear of the deep ball.
Perhaps another veteran move is on the horizon, like former Defensive Player of the Year, Stephon Gilmore. But even if they do make such a move, defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver will have his work cut out for him on the back-end this season.
Jalen Ramsey Set To Benefit From Trade After Details Emerge