One way or another, the Miami Dolphins are heading for a split with one of their biggest stars. According to NFL Network's Cameron Wolfe, the Dolphins and cornerback Jalen Ramsey "are expected to separate at some point," and their "marriage is essentially dissolved."
Ramsey was the subject of trade rumors in the weeks preceding the 2025 NFL Draft, but nothing materialized. Wolfe posits that the Dolphins will still attempt to move Ramsey in the next two months before exploring free agency for cornerbacks.
At this point, the Dolphins may be forced to cut Ramsey if a trade doesn't materialize. Unfortunately for them, Ramsey is fresh off a three-year, $72.3 million extension inked in September. Releasing him would saddle the Dolphins with nearly $49.5 million in dead money, per Spotrac.
Trading Ramsey could alleviate a significant portion of that penalty. Ramsey is set to earn $25.1 million this year; another team could theoretically cover a share of that. Still, the odds are the Dolphins will hurt their salary cap this year by parting with Ramsey.
Impact
Ramsey should still be an enticing veteran for teams in the playoff hunt. He has allowed an excellent 6.6 yards per target and a 71.8 passer rating on throws in his direction over his two years with the Dolphins, and he has always had a knack for the big play. A team that believes itself capable of a Super Bowl push could benefit from his services, especially if they don't have to break the bank to nab him.
The Dolphins initially acquired Ramsey from the Los Angeles Rams back in 2023 for a third-round pick and tight end Hunter Long. Given that Ramsey is two years older and is set to turn 31 this season, the Dolphins would probably be lucky to land a similar return.
If the relationship is dissolved to the point where the Dolphins will be forced to release Ramsey if they can't find a trade partner, the Dolphins defense will undoubtedly suffer for it. Ramsey would immediately become perhaps the most intriguing available free agent and could land yet another big-money deal, something in the neighborhood of the $18 million per year contracts signed by Carlton Davis with the New England Patriots and Charvarius Ward with the Indianapolis Colts earlier this offseason.
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