Steelers land Jalen Ramsey & Jonnu Smith from the Dolphins in a July 2025 blockbuster, sending Minkah Fitzpatrick to Miami. See how this trade shakes up the AFC.
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
Just when you thought the Steelers' offseason couldn't get any crazier, General Manager Omar Khan dropped another bombshell. On the heels of acquiring Aaron Rodgers and DK Metcalf, the team has executed a blockbuster trade with the Miami Dolphins, bringing All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey and Pro Bowl tight end Jonnu Smith to Pittsburgh. The cost? All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and a future fifth-round pick. The move, confirmed late Monday and finalized today, sends shockwaves through the AFC and signals that the Steelers are pushing all their chips to the center of the table for 2025.
This isn't just a trade; it's a statement of intent. The Steelers are officially in Super Bowl or bust mode.
The details are stunning. Jalen Ramsey, one of the premier shutdown corners in the league, and Jonnu Smith, a dynamic, pass-catching tight end, are now wearing Black and Gold. In return, the Steelers part ways with Minkah Fitzpatrick, sending him back to the team that originally drafted him. While losing a player of Fitzpatrick's caliber hurts, he had reportedly grown dissatisfied with his role, and this trade addresses multiple needs. Ramsey instantly elevates a secondary that will support a ferocious pass rush, while Smith provides a proven veteran target for Aaron Rodgers, a need made more acute by recent injuries.
While the on-field implications are massive, the biggest impact of this trade might be felt at the negotiating table. Moving Fitzpatrick's contract off the books provides the Steelers with significant cap flexibility. This breathing room appears to be a calculated move to finally end the contract stalemate with superstar linebacker T.J. Watt. Watt, who posted a dominant 92.7 PFF grade last season, skipped the entire offseason program while seeking an extension. With other teams reportedly sniffing around for a potential trade, locking up the face of the defense before camp is priority number one, and this trade may have just paved the way.
The acquisition of Jonnu Smith couldn't have come at a better time, as the tight end room suffered a major blow. The team officially placed Donald Parham Jr. on season-ending injured reserve after he suffered an Achilles tear in practice. In another piece of unfortunate news, promising rookie defensive back Ryan Watts was released as he is expected to medically retire following a significant neck injury. While the organization wishes both players well, Khan's aggressive move for Smith immediately plugs the hole left by Parham, turning a potential weakness into a formidable strength.
The Steelers' defense was already a force to be reckoned with in 2024, ranking 4th in scoring defense and 7th in total yards allowed. Now, they've swapped one All-Pro for another. While Fitzpatrick patrolled the back end, Ramsey brings a different, more aggressive man-to-man element to the cornerback position. Paired with a healthy T.J. Watt and the addition of first-round defensive tackle Derrick Harmon, this unit has the talent not just to maintain its elite status, but to become the most feared defense in the entire league.
With training camp now just 20 days away, the clock is ticking. The front office's immediate priority must be getting T.J. Watt's signature on a long-term deal. After that, it's all about integrating these massive new personalities and talents—Rodgers, Metcalf, Ramsey, and Smith—into the Steelers' culture. The message from the top is clear: the window is now. This isn't a rebuild; it's a reload of epic proportions, and anything less than a deep playoff run will feel like a disappointment.
