Two of the league’s most decorated defenders are on the move in a rare blockbuster swap that’s already shaking up the AFC. The deal reunites one star with his original team and gives Jalen Ramsey a fresh start with a Super Bowl contender. It also features a twist involving the same general manager who once shipped one of them out.
Add in contract raises, playoff implications, and a second trade right behind it, and you’ve got fireworks. Miami and Pittsburgh just changed the landscape in a big way. And it all started with one stunning flip.
Jalen Ramsey To Swap Teams With Steelers All-Pro Minkah Fitzpatrick
ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter first broke the news:
ESPN Sources: The Miami Dolphins have agreed to trade three-time All-Pro CB Jalen Ramsey to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
As a part of the trade, Ramsey will get a $1.5 million raise this season, bringing his 2025 compensation up to $26.6 million.
Steelers get their man and Ramsey… pic.twitter.com/kLMgYfwt34
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 30, 2025
Ramsey requested a trade in the spring, and the Dolphins have been shopping him since. He finally got his wish.
Ramsey has established himself as one of the top cornerbacks in the league since being drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2016. Ramsey played all 17 games for the Dolphins last season and racked up 60 tackles, two interceptions, and one sack.
The 30-year-old was due to make $24.2 million this season, but his adjusted contract includes a $1.5 million raise, making his salary $26.6 million this year.
While less featured on attention-grabbing headlines, Fitzpatrick is no less accomplished than Ramsey. He returns to the team that drafted him in the first round in 2018. His career really took off after he was traded midway in the 2019 season to the Steelers. Fitzpatrick became a three-time All-Pro and a five-time Pro Bowler during his time in Pittsburgh.
Chris Grier, the Dolphins’ general manager who drafted him and traded him away the first time, is also the same executive pulling off this trade and bringing him back to the team. Fitzpatrick signed a $73.6 million contract extension in 2022, and he will make $15.5 million this season and $17.6 million next season in the final year, although next year’s salary is non-guaranteed.
Steelers Bring In Pass Catcher for Aaron Rodgers in Second Part of Dolphins Trade
The Steelers and Dolphins were not done yet. Schefter then reported — mere minutes after breaking the news of the Ramsey-Fitzpatrick trade — that the Dolphins will also send tight end Jonnu Smith to the Steelers for a late-round swap of draft picks.
Steelers-Dolphins trade, Part II: Dolphins are trading tight end Jonnu Smith to the Steelers for a late-round pick swap, per ESPN sources.
Smith will get a one-year contract extension for $12 million, confirmed by agents Drew Rosenhaus and Robert Bailey.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 30, 2025
NFL insider Tom Pelissero added that the pick swap will see the Dolphins move up from the 7th to the 5th round in the 2027 draft. The Steelers will also be giving Smith a one-year, $12 million extension as part of the trade. Ultimately, the Dolphins and Steelers ended up packaging these transactions together as one big trade.
This move continues the Steelers’ offensive overhaul from last season, with new starters at quarterback, running back, wide receiver, and tight end. Smith will complement Pat Freiermuth as a second receiving tight end option for quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
