Explosive Exchange: Jalen Ramsey and Jonnu Smith to the Steelers, Minkah Fitzpatrick to the Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins have finalized a significant trade involving several key figures. The team has agreed to send three-time All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey and tight end Jonnu Smith to the Pittsburgh Steelers. In return, the Dolphins will receive three-time All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, along with a draft pick swap.
As part of the agreement, pending medical examinations, the Dolphins will send a seventh-round pick from 2027 to the Steelers and receive a fifth-round pick from 2027 from Pittsburgh.
Ramsey, 30 years old, confirmed his transfer to Pittsburgh through his social media.
Jalen Ramsey’s post on X
Meanwhile, Fitzpatrick returns to Miami, where he began his career after being selected 11th overall in the 2018 draft by the Dolphins. In 2019, the Dolphins traded him to the Steelers.
Ramsey joins a group of high-level cornerbacks on the Steelers, which also includes Darius Slay Jr. and Joey Porter Jr.
The Dolphins indicated in April that they were looking to trade Ramsey, whom they had acquired from the Los Angeles Rams in 2023. Ramsey signed a restructured three-year, $55 million extension upon arriving in Miami and was named to the Pro Bowl that season despite missing seven games, and signed a three-year, $72.3 million extension shortly before the start of the 2024 season. He was credited with 11 passes defended last season, but recorded only two interceptions, his lowest total since 2020.
Fitzpatrick, 28, had a productive impact after being acquired by the Steelers in 2019, with five interceptions in 14 games with his new team. He had multiple interceptions in each of the following three seasons, including a personal record of six in 2022. However, he fell into a slump in 2023 and did not record a single interception, as he battled injuries throughout the season. Finally, he ended the drought with an interception in the Week 16 loss to the Baltimore Ravens last season, breaking a streak of 25 games without interceptions. Fitzpatrick has 20 career interceptions.
Smith, 29, set franchise records for receptions (88) and receiving yards (884) by a tight end last season, en route to his first Pro Bowl selection. He led all Dolphins players in receptions in his first year with the team and finished only behind Brock Bowers, Trey McBride and George Kittle in receiving yards by a tight end.
The Steelers’ interest in Smith is based on offensive coordinator Arthur Smith’s long relationship with the tight end. Arthur Smith was Jonnu Smith’s tight ends coach and offensive coordinator in Tennessee, and then Arthur Smith traded for his former player during his time as head coach of the Falcons.
By adding Ramsey and Smith, the Steelers continue to break with their own precedent this offseason. Normally quiet in the trade market and free agency, the Steelers’ trade for the Dolphins duo is the latest in a series of high-profile moves.
Ramsey becomes the fourth captain of the Dolphins from last season to leave the team, joining Terron Armstead (retired), Calais Campbell, and David Long Jr. (released).
Acquiring Fitzpatrick is an important step for a Dolphins team looking to replace its entire starting secondary from last season. Miami released cornerback Kendall Fuller after one season and allowed safeties Jevon Holland and Jordan Poyer to leave in free agency. It signed safeties Ifeatu Melifonwu and Ashtyn Davis and cornerback Artie Burns, before drafting safety Dante Trader Jr. and cornerback Jason Marshall Jr., but a clear starter had yet to emerge at either position after OTAs and the team’s minicamp. Fitzpatrick should fill one of the starting safety spots, while the team explores the veteran free agent market at cornerback.
The Smith trade, who missed Miami’s preseason practices in search of a new contract, leaves the Dolphins without a primary tight end to catch passes. In the remaining tight end group are blockers Julian Hill and Pharaoh Brown, and former undrafted free agents Tanner Conner, Hayden Rucci and Jalin Conyers.
