After two years, 28 starts, and five interceptions for the Miami Dolphins, seven-time Pro Bowl cornerback Jalen Ramsey appears to have played his final game for the team. Dolphins General Manager Chris Grier recently announced that the team would be looking to trade Ramsey, after weeks of discussions within the organization.
A three-time first-team All-Pro, Ramsey shouldn’t be short of suitors. Almost any team could make the case for adding a player of Ramsey’s caliber and experience. But, given that the player is now in his 30s and still playing at such a high level, this list focuses on teams looking to contend for a title in 2025.
Washington Commanders
The Washington Commanders became almost everybody’s second-favorite team in 2024. Dan Quinn and Jayden Daniels transformed a 4-13 franchise and immediately made a run to the NFC Championship game. Despite the team’s success, only four teams managed fewer pass breakups on defense in 2024, while just three tallied fewer interceptions.
The Commanders traded for Marshon Lattimore during the season and have an exciting young cornerback in Mike Sainristil. Still, with the team’s secondary lacking in big plays in 2024, Ramsey could be a welcome addition. The team also just lost Benjamin St-Juste in free agency, freeing up space for yet another big trade acquisition.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are another NFC playoff team looking to take a leap in 2025. The team managed the same lowly number of interceptions (7) as Washington last season, while allowing the eighth-highest quarterback rating in the NFL. The Buccaneers also allowed the fourth-most passing yards and were a bottom-half pass defense in terms of touchdowns, yards per attempt, and completion percentage allowed.
With little cornerback depth on the roster, Tampa Bay could be an ideal fit for Ramsey in 2025.
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are widely expected to move on from star cornerback Jaire Alexander in 2025. With injuries plaguing the two-time Pro Bowler’s career, Alexander has missed 10 or more games in three of the last four seasons.
Crashing out of the playoffs with both Alexander and star receiver Christian Watson predictably sidelined will likely prompt a turning of the page in Green Bay.
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos could find themselves competing for a Super Bowl in 2025 after securing some significant veteran talent in free agency. If the team can hit on a running back and a receiver early in the upcoming draft, Ramsey’s addition would complete a remarkable two-year transition since Sean Payton took over.
The Broncos had a solid defense in 2024; leaving the offseason having added Dre Greenlaw, Talanoa Hufanga, and Jalen Ramsey would be phenomenal work. Pending extensions for both Courtland Sutton and Zach Allen should provide an opportunity to manipulate the cap if needed to get Ramsey in the door.
Philadelphia Eagles
The rich get richer. The Philadelphia Eagles did an outstanding job of revamping their secondary in the 2024 NFL Draft. Both Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean played huge roles in the team’s run to the Super Bowl.
But the Eagles still relied on veteran cornerback Darius Slay to man the perimeter opposite Mitchell. Slay is now with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Eagles have the cap space to add yet another phenomenal talent to their roster. In replacing Slay with Ramsey, the Eagles could add a seven-time Pro Bowler while still getting younger at the position.
Notable Mentions
Elsewhere, the Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens would both be incredibly exciting landing spots. But both teams would likely require significant financial reshuffling in order to squeeze Ramsey onto their rosters. The Vikings, meanwhile, could be intrigued after losing Stephon Gilmore in free agency, but had no problem creating big plays on defense in 2024.
The San Francisco 49ers and Pittsburgh Steelers would also likely be interested in Ramsey, but both teams have looming quarterback negotiations to deal with first. The Cincinnati Bengals, meanwhile, need to find a solution to their stalemate with Trey Hendrickson before committing any more money elsewhere.
While it’s also possible that Ramsey joins a team that isn’t currently hunting for a Super Bowl, it’s hard to imagine that it wouldn’t be a preference. Whichever team he ends up on, though, will be getting a leader, a playmaker, and an experienced cornerback who can still operate at the highest level.
Why would the Eagles trade for 30-year old Jalen Ramsey, when (a) they already have a great young secondary and (b) they’ve been shedding payroll to prepare for possible contract extensions for key players whose rookie contracts expire after the next season or two? It makes no sense whatsoever.