The Miami Dolphins and star cornerback Jalen Ramsey appear headed toward a split — but how and when that happens remains one of the most challenging off-season questions for the franchise.
Despite speculation swirling for weeks, including public comments and social media activity, no deal has materialized. Reports suggest Miami is intent on moving Ramsey, with potential landing spots including a return to the Los Angeles Rams or possibly a move to the Chargers. However, financial and contractual hurdles are holding up a resolution.
The Financial Blockade
At the core of the delay is Ramsey’s current contract. The veteran corner is owed $21 million in guaranteed salary this season — a figure that would make him the seventh-highest-paid cornerback in 2025 by cash earnings. Miami has already paid him a $4 million bonus earlier this year, bringing the total owed to $25 million.
And that’s where the trouble begins. Most NFL teams have already set their salary structures for the season, with little flexibility to absorb such a significant contract. The Rams, for example — a team Ramsey would reportedly like to return to — are not inclined to pay that kind of money or surrender a draft pick for the privilege.
According to NFL insider Ari Meirov, “The Dolphins regret doing that extension last year. If they knew they’d be in this position less than 12 months later, they wouldn’t have made him the highest-paid corner at the time.”
West Coast or Bust?
Ramsey’s interest in returning to the West Coast seems real. The Rams, Chargers, and possibly the 49ers are considered viable destinations based on his preferences and prior experience. But preferences can only go so far. Unless a team is willing to absorb the salary — or unless the Dolphins agree to eat part of the deal — Ramsey may be stuck in limbo.
There’s also the possibility that Ramsey and his agent, David Mulugheta, negotiate a reduced salary or restructure to facilitate a trade. While this would make a deal easier, there’s little incentive for Ramsey to do so voluntarily, unless he’s desperate to get out of Miami. All his salary this year is guaranteed.
Dolphins’ Muddled Roster Strategy
This trade drama raises larger questions about Miami’s direction. Just a year ago, they handed out big-money extensions to Tyreek Hill and Jalen Ramsey while letting young, homegrown talent walk — including offensive lineman Robert Hunt, linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel, and defensive tackle Christian Wilkins. All three players were seen as core pieces but are now thriving elsewhere.
“You don’t send the best message to the locker room when you move on from your draft picks and hand out third contracts to veterans,” Meirov noted.
That contradiction has left the Dolphins in a precarious position — good enough to be competitive, but not dominant in a stacked AFC. The team now appears to be reevaluating its roster-building philosophy just one year after going all-in.
A Breakup in Motion, but No Exit Strategy
Compounding the tension is how the situation is being handled internally. Ramsey was not present at the team’s mandatory minicamp, but it wasn’t a holdout — it was a mutual understanding that he stay away while trade options are explored.
Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel’s recent comments — or lack thereof — suggest the situation is far from amicable. When asked about Ramsey, he was dismissive, saying, “I don’t give a bleep,” signaling frustration or perhaps a desire to move on without drama.
But until a team steps up with a realistic trade proposal, and until Miami is willing to absorb some of the financial burden, the two sides remain stuck.
What’s Next?
Unless Jalen Ramsey agrees to restructure or the Dolphins become willing to “buy” a draft pick by paying part of his salary, a resolution may not come until deeper into the preseason or even closer to Week 1.
Until then, this standoff remains one of the more intriguing off-field stories of the NFL offseason. It’s clear that both sides want to move on — but finding a team that can afford Ramsey and is willing to meet Miami’s demands may be harder than anyone expected.
