The NFL woke up to major news involving the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Miami Dolphins. The two franchises agreed to a blockbuster trade that sent Jalen Ramsey and Jonnu Smith to Pittsburgh, while Minkah Fitzpatrick is headed to Miami, along with a late-round pick swap.
The move sparked a wide range of reactions on social media and among NFL players and analysts, including newly acquired Darius Slay Jr., who shared his thoughts on Ramsey’s arrival to his new team on his X account.
Darius Slay Jr. Reacts to Pittsburgh Trading for Jalen Ramsey
We finally have a resolution to Ramsey’s saga with the Dolphins, which had been trending toward a conclusion in recent weeks, especially after he began dropping hints on social media suggesting Pittsburgh might be the destination. Ramsey had reportedly followed several Steelers players on Instagram, and on Monday, June 30, the move was officially confirmed.
Slay, who also joined the Steelers this offseason, reacted to the trade with a simple show of support, posting “Yes sir!!!” on his X account in response to the news. With two established cornerbacks now side by side, Pittsburgh’s defense is shaping up to be one of the best in the NFL this season.
Yes sir!!! https://t.co/YTdjVyDdFS
— Darius Slay (@bigplay24slay) June 30, 2025
The move signals Pittsburgh’s full commitment to chasing a Super Bowl this year. Ramsey’s contract is essentially a one-year deal, with no guaranteed money beyond 2025. The Steelers made that clear by giving him a $1.5 million raise for this upcoming season.
With Aaron Rodgers’ arrival opening a clear window of opportunity, the front office made this final move to give the roster maximum strength. The question now is how Ramsey will be used, given that the team already has Slay, Joey Porter Jr., and Beanie Bishop Jr. in the secondary. However, Fitzpatrick’s departure opens a spot.
Early expectations are for Slay and Porter to play outside, while Ramsey could be deployed in a hybrid role between safety and nickelback, something the team seemed to be planning even before Fitzpatrick’s departure, as Juan Thornhill is expected to serve as the single-high safety in certain packages.
READ MORE: Steelers Pull Off Blockbuster Trade for Ramsey as Pittsburgh Goes All-In on Super Bowl Window
Ramsey is not coming off a standout season with the Dolphins, but he still has plenty left in the tank for the NFL. He started all 17 games last season, finishing with two interceptions and 60 total tackles. His role in Pittsburgh is expected to be adjusted to maximize what remains of his athletic skillset, rather than locking him into a single, rigid assignment.
The Steelers, who earlier this offseason, even after the draft, didn’t appear to be serious contenders, are now shaping up as one of the most intriguing teams to watch in 2025. With so much experience on the roster, it’s hard to rule out the possibility that they’ll be able to go toe-to-toe with the AFC’s top contenders.
