The Pittsburgh Steelers had proven curiosity in Miami Dolphins DB Jalen Ramsey and TE Jonnu Smith all through the offseason. On Monday they had been ultra-aggressive and swung huge, touchdown each in a commerce, sending away star security Minkah Fitzpatrick within the course of, and despatched shockwaves throughout the NFL panorama.
In keeping with Adam Schefter, who appeared on ESPN Radio’s UnSportsmanLike Tuesday morning, no crew needed Ramsey or Smith as a lot because the Steelers. A lot so the crew grew to become snug shifting Fitzpatrick to make it occur.
“And what occurred was the Steelers and Dolphins had been engaged on Jalen Ramsey, and there was not a crew on the market that needed Jalen Ramsey as a lot because the Steelers did,” Schefter stated of the Steelers-Dolphins commerce, in line with audio through ESPN Radio. “Now, there have been different groups that expressed curiosity in him, that was the Rams, the Chargers and others, however these groups weren’t keen to not solely foot the vast majority of the cash because the Steelers did, but in addition give Jalen Ramsey further cash. And so when all of it got here all the way down to it, ultimately, the Steelers valued Jalen Ramsey greater than different groups.
“The Steelers valued Jonnu Smith greater than different groups. And after they had been speaking to the Dolphins, it wasn’t like they had been seeking to deal Minkah Fitzpatrick, however that was a participant that the Dolphins requested for in return. And the Steelers determined that that was one thing that they had been keen to do.”
The Steelers are desperately attempting to compete inside this window they’ve, particularly defensively with the likes of Cameron Heyward and T.J. Watt on the roster. That desperation and the drive to win led to the transfer to commerce away Fitzpatrick, because the Steelers clearly consider they obtained higher with the transfer, including two good items in Ramsey and Smith.
In trades, it’s a must to give to get, and the Steelers definitely gave up a giant piece in Fitzpatrick, a participant who has been a stalwart for the Steelers for the final half decade. The Steelers weren’t actively buying Fitzpatrick, in line with a report from the Submit-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac, however finally determined to maneuver him in an effort to attempt to enhance the roster with Ramsey and Smith.
The largest hold-up within the Ramsey a part of the deal was the monetary dedication groups had been keen to make. For the Steelers, there wasn’t actually any situation there, because the crew took on the “bulk” of Ramsey’s remaining contract, making simpler for the Dolphins to maneuver him.
Within the course of, the Steelers additionally gave Smith a one-year, $12 million extension, displaying that they valued the tight finish, who was looking for a brand new deal from the Dolphins all offseason after a profession 12 months in 2024. Being keen to not solely tackle the contracts, however hand out new cash, made the Steelers a extra attractive vacation spot for each Ramsey and Smith.
Asking for Fitzpatrick and never being turned down, both, was a plus for Miami.
Now, the Steelers have two new gamers on the roster they suppose extremely of, and whereas there’s some short-term ache and consternation from buying and selling a pillar like Fitzpatrick, the Steelers consider they’re higher now getting into the 2025 season than they had been getting into the day on Monday, June 30.
They’ve shored up the necessity for an additional pass-catching weapon for QB Aaron Rodgers, and added an skilled, versatile defensive again that may put on quite a lot of hats within the secondary, seemingly going all-in on the upcoming season.
