A late June blockbuster — no movie show required.
The Pittsburgh Steelers and Miami Dolphins exchanged Professional Bowlers in a deal Monday that sends security Minkah Fitzpatrick and a 2027 fifth-round choose to South Florida in change for cornerback Jalen Ramsey, tight finish Jonnu Smith and a 2027 seventh-round choose.
For the Steelers, the transfer caps off their most eventful offseason in latest reminiscence, one which has featured a number of high-profile trades and the signing of quarterback Aaron Rodgers. It represents an all-in strategy on successful the franchise’s first Tremendous Bowl because the 2008 season.
Buying Fitzpatrick, 28, retains this commerce from trying like a reset for a Miami staff that hasn’t gained a playoff sport because the flip of the century. The Dolphins had been seeking to commerce Ramsey, 30, since not less than April; his commerce worth wasn’t anticipated to surpass the third-round choose and backup tight finish they traded to accumulate him from the Rams in March 2023.
However receiving Fitzpatrick — a former All-Professional, albeit one approaching age 30 — in return at a place of want justifies the prolonged means of discovering a commerce associate. Fitzpatrick has only one interception in his previous two seasons, however continues to be a succesful run defender and versatile defensive chess piece — who does not flip 29 till November.
All gamers concerned will get a shot at their former groups in Week 15, when the Dolphins and Steelers face off in Pittsburgh on “Monday Evening Soccer.”
Taking a better look, Steelers reporter Brooke Pryor and Dolphins reporter Marcel Louis-Jacques and nationwide reporter Ben Solak break down the commerce, how every participant suits together with his new aspect, and what comes subsequent.
What prompted the Steelers to commerce Fitzpatrick again to Miami?
Although Fitzpatrick was named to the Professional Bowl in 4 of the previous 5 seasons, his manufacturing dropped off following a profession yr in 2022. He earned his third All-Professional nod that season as he collected six interceptions, together with a pick-six on Joe Burrow‘s first go try of the yr. Since then, Fitzpatrick recorded only one interception and one compelled fumble in 29 complete video games as he battled by an injury-riddled 2023 and a irritating 2024. Because the Steelers tinkered with the protection, Fitzpatrick’s function considerably shifted to enjoying extra within the field in 2023, taking him out of place to make game-changing performs.
Although Fitzpatrick principally saved his frustrations to himself throughout the 2024 season, he mentioned earlier this offseason that most of the Steelers’ defensive shortcomings throughout their five-game stoop to finish the season occurred due to a “grey space” in communication. Steelers brass extolled Fitzpatrick’s instincts and acumen all through his practically six-year stint in Pittsburgh, however his drop-off in manufacturing made it tougher to justify a $22 million cap hit in 2025 — particularly because the Steelers proceed negotiations on an extension for star go rusher T.J. Watt. The commerce, although, is not completely a cost-saving transfer, as a result of the Steelers are anticipated to tackle the majority of Ramsey’s $26.6 million contract, together with a $1.5 million elevate, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. — Pryor
How will the Dolphins use Fitzpatrick?
When Fitzpatrick first received out of Miami two video games into his sophomore season in 2019, his want to stay to at least one place was largely cited as a motivating drive in his commerce request. He has been nearly solely a free security for the Steelers since, enjoying within the field on greater than 10% of his snaps simply as soon as (2023) over the previous six seasons.
That is nearly actually the place the Dolphins want him, as Jevon Holland and Jordan Poyer departed in free company, and solely stopgap choices Ashtyn Davis and Ifeatu Melifonwu have been signed in free company to switch them. Fitzpatrick, who will flip 29 this season, struggled together with his vary, reads and tackling from deep final season and it is price questioning if he can proceed to play 90% of his snaps as a roaming, deep-middle participant. The Dolphins are betting that he can. — Solak
Why did not Ramsey slot in Miami?
On the sphere, he match simply superb. Ramsey was an All-Professional in his first season with the Dolphins in 2023. Though a knee damage on the second day of coaching camp delayed his debut till halfway by that season, he intercepted three passes in his first three video games with the staff. Miami made him the highest-paid cornerback within the league the next offseason. However the relationship between participant and staff soured throughout a forgettable 2024 season by which the staff completed 8-9. Because the Dolphins seemed to alter the tradition contained in the constructing, Ramsey was one of many names they felt could be addition by subtraction.
Dolphins basic supervisor Chris Grier mentioned Ramsey didn’t ask for a wage adjustment — or a commerce. However he made it clear that either side agreed parting methods was the perfect plan of action.
“On the finish of the day, Jalen didn’t ask for a commerce,” Grier mentioned in April. “So we went by the method and simply felt that after quite a few conversations after which speaking final week with Jalen and his agent that it was greatest to maneuver ahead and it was the perfect curiosity of the Miami Dolphins and for Jalen Ramsey.” — Louis-Jacques
How will the Steelers use Ramsey
Ramsey has performed the overwhelming majority (80%) of his profession snaps as an out of doors cornerback, and that is a place at which the Steelers might use some assist however would possibly be OK — veteran Darius Slay Jr. was signed in free company as a CB2 choice reverse Joey Porter Jr. The slot, nonetheless, is in want of extra assist. When Ramsey gained a Tremendous Bowl with the Los Angeles Rams, he was usually enjoying the “star” place — a giant, safety-sized nickel nook who might defend the run. If the Steelers consider he nonetheless has the quickness to stay with shifty slot receivers, he might change into an out of doors cornerback who shifts inside towards three-receiver units.
In fact, the departure of Fitzpatrick additionally leaves a gap at security, although the Steelers have already got the depth to account for the snaps between DeShon Elliott and Juan Thornhill. A late-career transfer to full-time security would possibly maximize Ramsey’s remaining athleticism and soccer intelligence. — Solak
How will the Dolphins substitute Jonnu Smith?
It is tough to overstate how worthwhile Smith grew to become to Miami’s offense final season. Defenses constantly play the speedy Dolphins’ offense with two deep safeties and zone coverages, aggressively sinking their linebackers to break down all of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa‘s most well-liked throwing home windows over the center of the sphere. As opponents remained overly targeted on Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, Smith grew to become the reply. Towards two-high defenses, Smith led the staff in yards per route run (2.09), and towards zone coverages, he did it once more (2.26). Amongst all receivers, Smith ranked twenty fourth in yards per route run towards zone protection, and fifth amongst all tight ends.
Offering Tagovailoa straightforward, beneath valves with legit run-after-catch skill is essential — it is how coach Mike McDaniel saved the sticks transferring even with Tagovailoa’s low depth of goal in 2025. (Smith’s first down charge on targets was 49.1%, Eleventh-best in soccer.) With working again De’Von Achane, the Dolphins nonetheless have one wonderful go catcher within the beneath areas, however they need to discover one other someplace on the roster to switch Smith’s 112 vacated targets. — Solak
Is Pittsburgh executed making strikes forward of the season?
With these Steelers, you by no means know. For many years, Pittsburgh was a franchise constructed on drafting and creating its personal gamers, however basic supervisor Omar Khan continues to sign that he is not content material with sustaining the established order. It is already been a really un-Steelers-like offseason with the general public courting and eventual signing of 41-year-old quarterback Aaron Rodgers, buying and selling for huge receiver DK Metcalf and buying and selling away each Fitzpatrick and huge receiver George Pickens. The Steelers additionally landed Slay in free company.
Although Ramsey might have some positional flexibility, dropping Fitzpatrick nonetheless creates a gap within the secondary. The Steelers added Thornhill in free company, however they might probably add one other free security to pair with Elliott. The staff can also be open to buying one other huge receiver to be a No. 2 behind Metcalf. The staff hosted free agent Gabe Davis for a go to earlier this offseason. — Pryor
Is Miami executed making strikes forward of the season?
No, not with the remaining holes on its roster.
The Dolphins’ state of affairs at cornerback is not any totally different than it was two weeks in the past — they nonetheless want two starters on both aspect of the sphere. Grier has recommended the supply of a number of veteran free brokers, and that is an more and more doubtless route previous to the beginning of coaching camp. Their present cornerbacks room has loads of youth and potential, however little beginning expertise.
Miami might additionally use a pass-catching tight finish, contemplating the highest gamers in that place group are primarily blockers. Former undrafted free brokers Tanner Conner, Hayden Rucci and Jalin Conyers have potential as go catchers however are unproven. One title to keep watch over is Kyle Pitts — if the Atlanta Falcons are keen to entertain gives for him. — Louis-Jacques
