NFL insider gives a simple but undeniable factor as to why the Miami Dolphins won the trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers

"I like it better for Miami than Pittsburgh," Graziano said. "Miami's getting rid of a bunch of salary and a player in Ramsey that they had announced to the world that they weren't going to keep, couldn't keep for whatever reason. I also think Miami got the best player in the trade, which is a nice way to evaluate trades sometimes, too. 

"Pittsburgh, you managed to get older on defense, which is challenging because they're already probably were one of the oldest ones. They needed another wide receiver, and Jonnu Smith can sort of effectively be that, right? Like as a dynamic pass catcher that Arthur Smith knows how to use. Maybe they go out and get somebody else at wide receiver.

"But Minkah Fitzpatrick is a heart and soul guy on the defense. That to me is very surprising. He had two years left on his contract. Unless he was making noise about a new contract, which we had not heard - I had not heard - I'm surprised they would move on from him." 

Graziano's point is worth considering.  The Dolphins traded away two quality players who could have helped them significantly without question in 2025, but they have increasing age and dollars associated with them, and Ramsey didn't even want to be in Miami anyways.  

In return, in addition to more breathing room salary cap-wise, Miami adds the best player in the entire deal in former Dolphin Fitzpatrick. Miami's 2018 first-round pick has developed into one of the best defenders in the league over the last five seasons.  He's earned three First Team All-Pro honors and comes back to Miami to give the Dolphins' rag-tag secondary a huge boost. 

Fitzpatrick, who is under contract through the 2026 season, brings versatility in addition to top-tier ability, as he can play safety or in the slot as Miami figures out how to put their best 4-5 defensive backs on the field this fall in their different defensive packages. 

Sometimes, when things get complicated, it's best to keep them simple, and looking at who got the best player involved, it's hard to deny that Miami didn't here.  And that alone could be why the Dolphins are looked at down the road as getting the best of this deal.