The Miami Dolphins aimed to trade Jalen Ramsey and Jonnu Smith during the offseason and found a team interested in acquiring both players. The Dolphins and Pittsburgh Steelers completed a rare trade in the NFL, where the Steelers received Ramsey, Smith, and a 2027 seventh-round pick in exchange for safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and a 2027 fifth-round pick.
Here’s a breakdown of the winners and losers of this intriguing trade:
Winners
Jalen Ramsey: Ramsey and the Dolphins were eager to part ways, making the trade process lengthy. Despite trade talks starting before the draft, Ramsey remained on Miami’s roster for over two months. Now, Ramsey gets a fresh start with the Steelers and, at nearly 31 years old, reportedly secured a $1.5 million salary increase, raising his total earnings to $26.6 million through 2025. The Steelers, who already have several cornerbacks, stand to benefit creatively from Ramsey’s versatile skillset, similar to how Charles Woodson was utilized in his later years with the Packers.
Arthur Smith: While Smith faced criticism for underusing talent during his time as the Falcons head coach, he’s known for effectively deploying Jonnu Smith. Having coached Smith previously with the Tennessee Titans, Smith highly values his skill set. Though the Steelers didn’t initially seem to need a tight end, acquiring Smith aligns with Arthur Smith’s preference for featuring him prominently in the offense. Jonnu Smith will likely play a significant role under Arthur Smith’s coaching.
Tight End Position with Miami Dolphins: Several tight ends, like Kyle Pitts, Michael Mayer, and Tyler Higbee, have been considered trade targets, and now there’s an unexpected need after Miami traded Jonnu Smith. Smith led the Dolphins in receptions last season with 88 but sought a higher salary, which Miami was unwilling to pay. His departure leaves a gap, with Pharaoh Brown presenting a possible, though temporary, solution. The Dolphins may look to a player like Mayer, once a high draft pick with the Raiders, to step up.
Losers
Pat Freiermuth: The Steelers’ tight end spot was solid with Freiermuth, who posted 653 yards and seven touchdowns last season. The Steelers didn’t seem to need a tight end before acquiring Smith. Now, uncertainty looms over whether both Freiermuth and Smith can coexist effectively in the offensive scheme.
Mike McDaniel: The Dolphins’ head coach faces a challenging situation as the team appears to be rebuilding after last season. Trading away two of the top contributors, Ramsey and Smith, doesn’t inspire confidence in immediate improvement and likely puts McDaniel on shaky ground if the team regresses.
Both Teams: Trades of this magnitude usually signal a push toward becoming contenders, but neither the Steelers nor the Dolphins look significantly improved on paper. The Steelers didn’t address their receiver issues and lost a young defensive star to gain Ramsey. The Dolphins acquired Fitzpatrick but sacrificed two key players and still face holes in their passing game. Both teams had reasons to make the moves, but it’s unclear if either is a definitive winner.
Fan Take: This trade is crucial for NFL fans as it shakes up two historically competitive teams in unexpected ways, showing how franchises are willing to make bold moves to reshape their rosters. It highlights the constant strategic balancing act in building a contender and could influence how teams approach big trades involving star players in the future.
