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2x Super Bowl Winning CB Questions Mike McDaniel’s Leadership Skills in the Wake of Jalen Ramsey’s Trade to Steelers
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2x Super Bowl Winning CB Questions Mike McDaniel’s Leadership Skills in the Wake of Jalen Ramsey’s Trade to Steelers

Originally posted on FirstSportz  |  By Ishan Misra  |  Last updated Jul 7, 2025 8:53 AM ET

Two-time Super Bowl winner Asante Samuel Sr. called out Mike McDaniel for poorly handling Jalen Ramsey’s trade to the Pittsburgh Steelers. From Samuel’s point of view, the Dolphins made a big mistake by trading one of their best defenders to a rival.

As compensation, the Dolphins reacquired former player Minkah Fitzpatrick. The 28-year-old entered the league via the Dolphins before ending up in Pittsburgh after just 18 games for the Miami franchise.

Fitzpatrick is a three-time All-Pro and 5-time Pro Bowler who recorded 96 tackles and 4 INTs last season. However, Samuel Sr. raised doubts about the former first-rounder’s abilities by branding Jalen Ramsey the better player.

Ramsey, 30, wanted to leave the Dolphins even after signing a $24 million extension in 2024. He still had two years on his contract, but the Steelers promised a better future, so he switched allegiance.

Ramsey made the decision because the Dolphins’ coaches failed to convince him that the team had the required talent to win a Super Bowl. Samuel Sr. blamed Mike McDaniel and general manager Chris Grier for losing out on one of the best athletes at his position.

I guarantee Jalen Ramsey will make [the Steelers] defense a better defense. And the Dolphins had no reason to trade Jalen Ramsey, other than that they were sensitive. There’s no leadership in the Dolphins organization. Mike McDaniels is a pushover. Chris Greer, the general manager, has no backbone. These guys over here, the Miami Dolphins, they are running this team like a Little League team.

Asante Samuel Sr. said via Steelers Depot

The Steelers also took the 2024 Dolphins’ best offensive weapon—not Tyreek Hill or Jaylen Waddle but tight end Jonnu Smith. Eight seasons and four clubs later, Smith finally had a breakout season. The 6-foot-3, 248-pounder caught 88 passes for 884 yards and scored 8 touchdowns to bag his first Pro Bowl honors.

Could it be that the Steelers truly benefited from the Jalen Ramsey trade?

On the surface, the Steelers seemed to have gotten the better bargain. It’s true that Ramsey is two years older than Fitzpatrick and primarily plays corner instead of safety.

Questions will be raised about whether Ramsey can adjust to being a safety because Darius Slay and Deshon Elliott will likely start as the main CBs for the Steelers. Despite that, the Steelers brass believe that it was a win-win trade for them.

[The Steelers] figure Jalen Ramsey was a clear upgrade, that they have a guy who could play inside, a traditional cornerback. He can play safety. The source I just talked to actually scoffed at the ‘all-in’ notion.

Jeremy Fowler said on SportsCenter (H/T: Bleacher Report)

Omar Khan and Mike Tomlin are aiming for the Super Bowl, and they brought in a specialist in Aaron Rodgers to get them over the hurdle. They figured it’s best to surround the team with as many champions as possible to help Rodgers, who will take care of the offense.

They feel like they have the best quarterback outlook they’ve had in five years, they have a capable option, and they are trying to maximize it now.

Fowler added

If the Steelers want to challenge for the Super Bowl, then signing TJ Watt is a must. Watt has been the Steelers’ best player for some time. He wants a deal near or similar to $40 million a year that will make him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history.

This article first appeared on FirstSportz and was syndicated with permission.

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