Steelers Trade for Jalen Ramsey and Jonnu Smith: What It Means for 2025 Season
A breakdown of the Steelers-Dolphins trade and what it signals for both franchises.
The Miami Dolphins traded cornerback Jalen Ramsey and tight end Jonnu Smith to the Steelers in exchange for safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and a seventh-round pick early Monday Morning. Ramsey broke the news himself on X by posting a vintage Steelers video with the caption “Break my own news! #HereWeGo @Steelers”
It’s the latest move in an uncharacteristically aggressive offseason for the Steelers. So far, Pittsburgh has:
Let both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields walk in free agency (Wilson signed with the Giants, Fields with the Jets)
Traded George Pickens to the Cowboys
Acquired DK Metcalf from the Seahawks
Signed Aaron Rodgers to a one-year deal (Rodgers said on The Pat McAfee Show this is likely his final season)
Clearly the Steelers aren’t looking at this year as a rebuild. Otherwise, why bother signing Rodgers? This is Mike Tomlin once again refusing to tank for draft picks, doing whatever it takes to put his team in the best possible position to win now.
Moving on from Minkah Fitzpatrick only reinforces that. While Fitzpatrick was once a top safety in the league, he only has one interception in the past two seasons —production that hasn’t justified his top-five safety cap hit.
Jalen Ramsey, on the other hand, immediately upgrades the Steelers secondary, bringing veteran experience to a young cornerback room that currently averages just 26 years old. As for Jonnu Smith – the Steelers plan to use him as a dynamic, gadget-style player.
“What I have been told is the Steelers' view Jonnu Smith as a TE, a slot WR, and a fullback -- they will use him in a very hybrid way in Arthur Smith's offense.” Steelers insider Mark Kaboly posted to X.
Do Ramsey and Smith give Pittsburgh enough firepower to leapfrog the Bills, Chiefs, or Ravens? Probably not. But they make this team better than it was yesterday—and give Rodgers another veteran weapon to work with.
The Dolphins’ perspective is harder to pin down. Fitzpatrick is younger than Ramsey and has familiarity with Miami’s system—he was drafted by the Dolphins back in 2018. But bringing him back at his current salary is a curious move, especially since Miami is reportedly eating part of Ramsey’s remaining contract, per Adam Schefter on The Pat McAfee Show. The exact figure hasn’t been disclosed.
Making matters more interesting, Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill was recently vocal about wanting to keep Ramsey in Miami:
“I’m going to hang out with Ramsey,” Hill said at Fanatics Fest. “I’m going to get him back, full-court press... I don’t care what they say — it’s tampering, whatever, we need Ramsey.”
Apparently, that campaign didn’t work.
The Steelers and Dolphins play each other on December 15th in Pittsburgh.