June is typically as close to a dead month in the NFL as the calendar offers, but the Steelers have done their part to make it exciting.
Weeks after officially signing QB Aaron Rodgers, Pittsburgh has bolstered its secondary with a deal for Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey. Ramsey announced the deal with a video on social media Monday morning.
Ramsey, a seven-time Pro-Bowler and three-time All-Pro, was reported to be a prime trade candidate before the draft in April, but Miami didn’t find the right deal until the summer. That deal involves three players, including another former All-Pro defensive back.
Here are the details of the Steelers’ trade with the Dolphins for Ramsey.
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Steelers-Dolphins trade details
Steelers receive:
- CB Jalen Ramsey
- TE Jonnu Smuth
- 2027 seventh-round pick
Dolphins receive:
- S Minkah FitzpatrickÂ
- 2027 fifth-round pick
The Steelers sent former All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick to the Dolphins for Ramsey in a rare player-for-player trade, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported. The deal includes a $1.5 million raise for Ramsey, who is now set to make $26.6 million in 2025.Â
Pittsburgh is also acquiring TE Jonnu Smith, who receives a $12 million extension, while the Dolphins receive a late-round pick swap in addition to Fitzpatrick, sliding up two rounds in 2027. The deal reunites Smith with Steelers OC Arthur Smith, who coached him in Tennessee and Atlanta.Â
The Steelers have enjoyed an active offseason, acquiring DK Metcalf from the Seahawks in March and dealing George Pickens to Dallas in May before bringing in Rodgers, Ramsey and Smith.
For Miami, Ramsey and Smith more losses in an offseason that has seen Jevon Holland, Calais Campbell and Terron Armstead exit as well — but adding Fitzpatrick, who was drafted by the organization, gives the Dolphins’ secondary a significant boost at safety with Holland out of the picture.
MORE: Ranking the 19 greatest Steelers players of all time
Jalen Ramsey contract details
The trade came with a $1.5 million raise for Ramsey in 2025, bringing his salary for this coming season up to $26.6 million.Â
Ramsey signed a three-year, $72.4 million extension through the 2028 season in September, though the Steelers could potentially get out of the deal with some savings against the cap after 2025. Pittsburgh can save just over $3 million by releasing Ramsey before June 1 in 2026, absorbing a cap hit of just under $16 million, or the Steelers can spread out the dead cap hit by designating Ramsey a post-June 1 release.
Of course, Pittsburgh is hoping Ramsey can re-emerge as a Pro Bowl-caliber player. If he does, he can stick around for 2026 with a cap hit of $18.3 million.Â
MORE: What we know about Aaron Rodgers’ mystery wife
Minkah Fitzpatrick contract details
Fitzpatrick is under contract through 2026, carrying cap hits of $15.5 million and $17.6 million over the final two seasons of his deal, respectively.
If Fitzpatrick struggles or just isn’t part of the Dolphins’ plans beyond 2025, Miami can save $10.7 million by releasing him after the 2025 season. The Dolphins would absorb a dead cap hit of $6.9 million for 2026 by releasing Fitzpatrick.Â
Jonnu Smith contract details
Smith was heading into the final year of his contract, but he agreed to a one-year, $12 million extension with the Steelers as part of the deal. The veteran tight end is set to count $4.1 million against the cap in 2025, pending any changes to his current salary as part of the extension, and the new deal will kick in the following season.Â
