AP Photo/Kyusung Gong
The Los Angeles Rams have traded three-time first-team All-Pro linebacker Jalen Ramsey to the Miami Dolphins, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Adam Schefter @Adam Schefter
The transaction has now been agreed, according to sources:
🏈Dolphins get Pro Bowl CB Jalen Ramsey.
🏈The Rams receive a 2023 third-round pick (No. 77) and TE Hunter Long.
Trades will be processed on Wednesday when the league year begins. pic.twitter.com/0KJIeoS6fj
According Jeff Howe of The Athletic, the Dolphins guaranteed Ramsey’s contract for the next two seasons after the trade. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Ramsey received “an additional $25 million guaranteed” as part of the trade, and his contract will average $20 million over the last two years.
Rapoport and CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson first reported details of talks between the Dolphins and Rams.
The news seems to have reached Ramsey:
Jaylen Ramsey @jalenramsey
disposal pic.twitter.com/BRLYujsNqT
Jaylen Ramsey @jalenramsey
I prayed about this specifically for about a month & now it’s happening! 🙏🏾@MiamiDolphins LET’S GO! 🧡
Last offseason, the Dolphins pulled off one of the biggest deals in the league when they acquired Tyreek Hill from the Kansas City Chiefs. After losing to the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Wild Card Round, Miami’s front office clearly looks to be on the offensive once again.
Miami has allowed the sixth-most passing yards (234.8 per game), so improving the secondary would address a clear need for the franchise.
Ramsey hinted that 2022 might not see him in a Rams uniform again in a Jan. 13 tweet:
Jaylen Ramsey @jalenramsey
It is what it is! It was what it was! If this is the end, I went out with a BANG! Still THIS! 🤟🏾 pic.twitter.com/dEM63EFa4u
The 28-year-old also declined to comment on his future when it was reported that Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown recruited him:
Jaylen Ramsey @jalenramsey
lol I really like to @JaredGoff16 & @amonra_stbrown … I tried my best to get you all to the playoffs this year. I will not comment on my future. We’ll see 😂 https://t.co/JByQFEAvjh
However, Ramsey said there was a 100 percent chance it wouldn’t make the cut:
Jaylen Ramsey @jalenramsey
100% chance I WILL NOT get a haircut 😂… God bless me https://t.co/QBxFbEktrJ
Rams COO Kevin Demoff left the door open for a potential Ramsey trade in a conversation with NFL Network reporter Bridget Condon on Feb. 16:
Bridget Condon @BridgetCondon_
The #Rams are they going to trade Jalen Ramsey?
Rams COO Kevin Demoff told me
“I think it’s going to be for all of our players to find what’s best moving forward…but I couldn’t be more thankful for Jalen for what he’s done for the Rams leading this defense.” pic.twitter.com/7ST22h2JPJ
The strongest trend that Ramsey would be dealt came from this Feb. 24 report from NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero:
Tom Pelissero @Tom Pelissero
The #Rams have had trade discussions for six-time Pro Bowl CB Jalen Ramsey, and league sources now believe it’s very likely Ramsey will be dealt in the coming weeks.
Ramsey, 28, is due $17 million in 2023 on an upfront deal that averages $20 million and Los Angeles is clearing the cap. pic.twitter.com/vTYlX7nn5B
Ramsey is in the midst of a five-year, $100 million contract extension that runs through 2025, per Above the lid. The Rams would collect $24.6 million in dead money against their 2023 cap if they release him, so a trade makes the most sense.
Per Over the Cap, LA is $14.1 million over the salary cap. That’s a tough situation for any team, let alone a franchise coming off a 5-12 season.
Ramsey has been a great corner for much of his career, though he’s had his share of struggles in 2022. Still, he’s had a solid season statistically.
Don Wilson @IamDonWilson
In a “down” season, 2022 for the Rams CB @jalenramsey it looked something like this…
88 TKL (career high)
4 INT (team leader)
18 passes defensed (2nd in NFL)
2 Bags
Yes.. they are still elite. #RamsHouse pic.twitter.com/geNdSv2Y1S
Now Ramsey, a seven-year pro who spent the first three seasons of his career with the Jacksonville Jaguars, will play for his third team with the Dolphins.. His presence helps Miami build a dominant secondary in 2023 and beyond.