After months of speculation and a quietly strained relationship with the Miami Dolphins, former All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey finally got what he wanted. He was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers on June 30, ending his turbulent 27-month tenure in Miami.
The Steelers were one of Ramsey’s preferred destinations, although returning to the Los Angeles Rams was considered the most likely option. So, what happened?
Why Did Sean McVay and the Los Angeles Rams Strike Out in Jalen Ramsey Pursuit?
What began with optimism in March 2023 quickly turned sour behind the scenes. Reports indicate that Ramsey frequently clashed with coaches, including head coach Mike McDaniel and former defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.
He allegedly showed up late to practices and undermined leadership, contributing to a fractured locker room dynamic. By the end of the 2024 season, the relationship had deteriorated to the point where both parties agreed that a split was necessary.
Although Ramsey did not publicly demand a trade, insiders reported that he communicated that a change of scenery was in everyone’s best interest. The Dolphins, eager to reset their culture and alleviate salary concerns, began to shop their defensive centerpiece quietly.
As soon as word leaked that Ramsey was on the trade block, the Rams quickly emerged as the likely frontrunners to re-acquire their former star. With Ramsey’s history in Los Angeles, many insiders pegged the Rams as the most logical destination, especially considering their need for veteran leadership in a young secondary.
However, instead of returning to Los Angeles, Ramsey was traded to the Steelers along with tight end Jonnu Smith and a 2027 seventh-round pick. In exchange, the Dolphins received former All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and a 2027 fifth-round pick.
So, what went wrong for the Rams in their pursuit of Ramsey? According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the issue came down to finances.
“The Rams just didn’t have the cash and cap to pay Ramsey the full amount that he was due,” Pelissero explained on The Rich Eisen Show.
As of early July 2025, the Rams have approximately $20.1 million in salary cap space, making Ramsey’s $26.6 million cap hit a tight squeeze for them. Even if they had attempted to restructure other contracts or backload Ramsey’s deal, it would have required significant financial gymnastics.
They could have tried to persuade Miami to cover most of Ramsey’s salary, but that was unlikely. Ultimately, the Dolphins only agreed to cover $7 million of Ramsey’s contract as part of the trade to the Steelers. This included $4 million that had already been paid earlier in the offseason and an additional $3 million to help facilitate the deal.
With Ramsey officially off the table, the Rams are pivoting toward a more measured, youth-driven approach to their secondary. Instead of pursuing another high-priced veteran, they seem committed to developing in-house talents such as Cobie Durant, Quentin Lake, and Kamren Kinchens.
