The Pittsburgh Steelers and Miami Dolphins shocked the football world with a trade on Monday. The Steelers obtained cornerback Jalen Ramsey and tight end Jonnu Smith, along with a 2027 7th round pick from the Miami Dolphins for safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and a 2027 fifth round pick.
Here is a look at cornerback Jalen Ramsey.
Jalen Ramsey Background
Jalen Ramsey was born on October 24, 1994, in Smyrna, Tennessee. He attended Brentwood Academy, where he starred in both football and track & field, setting the Tennessee high school long jump record at 25 ft 3 1⁄4 in in 2013.
He played college football at Florida State University from 2013 to 2015. As a true freshman, Ramsey started all 14 games and helped the Seminoles win the 2013 BCS National Championship. By his junior year he earned consensus All-American honors and declared for the NFL Draft after totaling 52 tackles, nine pass breakups, and one sack in 2015.
The Jacksonville Jaguars selected Ramsey fifth overall in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft. He immediately made the Pro Football Writers Association All-Rookie Team and earned his first Pro Bowl nod in 2017. Midway through the 2019 season, Ramsey was traded to the Los Angeles Rams, where he won Super Bowl LVI. He joined the Miami Dolphins in 2023 before being traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers in mid-2025.
2025 Trade Details
On June 30, 2025, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Miami Dolphins completed a blockbuster swap:
Steelers receive:
CB Jalen Ramsey
TE Jonnu Smith
2027 seventh-round pick
Dolphins receive:
S Minkah Fitzpatrick
2027 fifth-round pick
Ramsey will earn a $1.5 million raise in 2025, bringing his salary to $26.6 million, with Pittsburgh absorbing the bulk of the cap hit and Miami covering $3 million of it. The move aims to upgrade Pittsburgh’s secondary versatility, while Miami re-acquires a three-time Pro Bowl safety and frees cap space for future needs.
Career Statistics (Through 2024)
Total
Games Played
135
Total Tackles
534
Sacks
3.0
Forced Fumbles
6
Fumble Recoveries
2
Pass Deflections
108
Interceptions
24
Defensive Touchdowns
1
Pro Bowls
7
First-Team All-Pro Selections
3
Super Bowl Rings
1