As the Miami Dolphins explore trading Jalen Ramsey in June 2025, the All-Pro's minicamp holdout signals a franchise-altering move could be imminent.
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
The Miami Dolphins kicked off the week with a bombshell that sent shockwaves through the fan base: Jalen Ramsey is not expected to attend this week's mandatory minicamp. As the team actively explores trade options for the All-Pro cornerback, the standoff over his future has reached a critical point, signaling that a blockbuster move could be imminent and threatening to redefine the team's defense just weeks before training camp.
The Dolphins are heading into the last month of the offseason with the NFL’s sixth-fewest returning players.
The writing on the wall became crystal clear Monday. According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, Ramsey's absence from mandatory minicamp is a direct result of ongoing trade discussions that have been quietly developing for over a month. The primary hurdles are no longer about if a trade will happen, but what the return will be and how a new team will absorb Ramsey's fully guaranteed $21 million salary. For the Dolphins, it's a high-stakes gamble, balancing the immediate, game-changing impact of a healthy Ramsey against the long-term roster flexibility his departure would create.
Ramsey's potential exit is the headline act in a much larger story of transformation in Miami. After a disappointing 8-9 finish in 2024, the front office has overseen a massive roster overhaul, resulting in the team having the sixth-fewest returning players in the entire league. This period of flux means the team that takes the field in September will look vastly different. The Dolphins are still evaluating veteran free agents to plug remaining holes, with names like guard Brandon Scherff and safety Justin Simmons being floated as potential targets to bolster the lineup.
Amid the uncertainty, the Dolphins have made moves to secure their future. The team exercised the fifth-year options for foundational pieces Jaylen Waddle and Jaelan Phillips, locking them in through 2025 and signaling a commitment to their young core. On the health front, there's a huge sigh of relief as star receiver Tyreek Hill is expected to be fully cleared for training camp after offseason wrist surgery. A healthy Hill, paired with a healthy Tua Tagovailoa, is the engine of the offense, and his return to 100% is a critical piece of good news in an otherwise turbulent offseason.
The coming weeks will define the Dolphins' 2025 campaign. The resolution of the Jalen Ramsey saga—whether through a blockbuster trade or an unexpected reconciliation—will set the course. With significant cap space potentially on the horizon and key free agents still available, Miami has the opportunity to reshape its identity on the fly. As mandatory minicamp proceeds without a defensive cornerstone, all eyes are on the front office to see how they navigate this turbulent, franchise-altering offseason.
