The Pittsburgh Steelers completed a blockbuster trade with the Miami Dolphins on Monday, acquiring three-time All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey and Pro Bowl tight end Jonnu Smith in exchange for safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The rare star-for-star swap sends Fitzpatrick back to the franchise that originally drafted him in 2018.
The trade represents the latest aggressive move by Pittsburgh in an offseason that has already seen the team sign four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers as they chase their first playoff victory since 2016.
Pittsburgh will give Ramsey a $1.5 million raise for the 2025 season, bringing his salary to $26.6 million, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport1. The Steelers also receive Miami's 2027 seventh-round pick, while the Dolphins get Pittsburgh's 2027 fifth-round pick in addition to Fitzpatrick2.
The trade creates a $15.5 million dead cap hit for Pittsburgh while netting $6.855 million in cap savings, according to Steelers Now2. Smith received a one-year, $12 million extension as part of the deal, keeping him under contract through 20262.
The move caps a two-month search by Miami for a trade partner after the Dolphins and Ramsey mutually agreed to explore options in April, according to general manager Chris Grier1. "Really after a couple weeks of discussions between ourselves internally and Jalen and his representation, we decided that it was probably in the best interest for all parties to move forward," Grier said at the time1.
For Pittsburgh, Ramsey joins a crowded cornerback room that already includes Darius Slay and Joey Porter Jr., creating what CBS Sports called one of the league's most formidable secondaries2. The Steelers are loading up for what may be Rodgers' final season, having gone 0-5 in playoff games since 20163.
Fitzpatrick returns to Miami six years after the Dolphins traded him to Pittsburgh for a package that included a 2020 first-round pick1. The five-time Pro Bowler has recorded 19 interceptions and four defensive touchdowns during his Pittsburgh tenure2.
Ramsey, meanwhile, joins his fourth team since 2019 after stints with Jacksonville, Los Angeles, and Miami. The seven-time Pro Bowler has struggled recently, allowing a career-worst 68.5% completion rate in coverage this season3.
