The Miami Dolphins still aren’t absolutely certain that they’ll have star cornerback Jalen Ramsey in Week 1. But they absolutely know they’ll have him for years to come.
The Dolphins and Ramsey have agreed on a three-year contract extension that makes him the league’s highest-paid cornerback.
Miami Dolphins Jalen Ramsey Contract Extension Details
Ramsey’s amended deal, which averages $24.1 million per year in new money as NFL Network first reported, locks him up through the 2028 season. It serves multiple purposes.
1) It keeps Ramsey happy (his contract eclipses the market-resetting $24 million that Patrick Surtain II will earn in what for two days was the biggest deal ever for a corner).
And 2) It helps the Dolphins help with their looming financial cliff.
Ramsey was going to count $18.5 million against the cap in 2026 — and not even as a member of the roster. His old deal included multiple void years that began in ’26.
Ramsey becomes the fifth franchise cornerstone to agree to an improved contract this summer, joining Jaylen Waddle, Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill, and head coach Mike McDaniel.
Ramsey’s new deal coincides with his return to the practice field. He had been out for the better part of a month with a hamstring injury and didn’t practice on Wednesday or Thursday.
Still, it’s not a sure thing he’ll play in Week 1. The Dolphins officially listed him as questionable with the hamstring injury on their Friday injury report.
McDaniel told reporters before practice that “We’re going to be smart, but we’re eager to get him out there.
“I anticipate him to, in some way, shape, or form, practice. I don’t know the level yet. That’s how these things work. You kind of go through the process. That, and whether or not he can play in the game, it does matter to everyone, both teams.
“Quite honestly, I don’t know. If I did know, I wouldn’t tell you, but I really don’t know.”
If Ramsey cannot go or is limited Sunday, expect to see second-year corner Ethan Bonner Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Bonner went undrafted out of Stanford after appearing in just 20 games over the course of five seasons with the Cardinal. His next interception will be his first since at least high school.
But despite a very light college résumé, the Dolphins were intrigued by his upside and brought Bonner to training camp as a rookie free agent in 2023. He was part of their final cuts in late August of last year before rejoining the organization as a part of their practice squad the next day.
FREE: Subscribe to PFN’s NFL Newsletter
That’s where Bonner spent the next four months, but a rash of injuries to their secondary prompted the Dolphins to elevate him for the last four games, including the playoffs. He was largely a special-teams player but did see 22 total snaps over the course of those four games.
“I’m going to be prepared to do anything I’m asked,” Bonner said. “If that is to go out and start, I’ll be ready to go out and execute.”
He added: “It’s exciting. Any opportunity I have to go out there, I have to take advantage of it. Yeah, I’m excited.”
- The Dolphins’ issues at wide receiver continue to multiply. Rookie Malik Washington has been ruled out of Sunday’s game with a quadriceps injury. Expect the Dolphins to elevate at least one receiver from their practice squad options — Erik Ezukanma, Robbie Chosen, and Dee Eskridge.
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins Injury Report
Jaguars
Out
None
Questionable
S Daniel Thomas (Achilles)
Dolphins
Out
WR Malik Washington (quadriceps)
Questionable
CB Jalen Ramsey (hamstring)