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NFL insider offers a subtle hint about how Miami Dolphins will resolve their Jalen Ramsey trade negotiations with interested teams

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Kyle Crabbs | Last updated May 31, 2025 2:46 PM ET

Tomorrow will mark a major hurdle in the NFL’s offseason calendar. June 1st. It’s a date some teams have had circled for months — as it opens the period of time in which roster transactions can split dead cap between the 2025 and 2026 books. It’s the equivalent of an accounting holiday for NFL front offices.

And, for the Miami Dolphins, it marks the opening bell of their prime opportunity to trade disgruntled cornerback Jalen Ramsey. The falling out between Ramsey and the Dolphins has been well established and the question hasn’t been whether a trade is coming but instead what the details are and where Ramsey is ultimately going.

NFL inside Ian Rapoport made an appearance on the Pat McAfee show on Friday and offered his insight on a few things pertaining to the Miami Dolphins. Mainly, he was focused on the latest trade rumors around Jonnu Smith. And while Rapoport’s input on Smith’s standing with the Dolphins was insightful, it was really the aside comment he made in reference to Miami’s other prominent talent on the trade block that should perk your interest.

Rapoport, when discussing the Dolphins’ outlook in finding a negotiation for an extension with Smith, offered this passing comment about the Dolphins’ Ramsey saga and how the Dolphins will ultimately spur a conclusion in the coming days or weeks.

“If (the Dolphins) are able to trade Jalen Ramsey, that's 21 million dollars — some of the 21 million dollars will come off the books depending on how much they pay.” - Ian Rapoport on Friday’s Pat McAfee Show

"Jonnu Smith is a big part of the Dolphins..

I know he wants more money and he would like to stay in Miami" ~ @RapSheet #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/rmpAimYopD
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) May 30, 2025

The fact that Rapoport caught himself mid-statement to clarify that only some of the $21 million remaining owed to Ramsey will be coming off the books is of particular note, as it has been reported to be a major sticking point in negotiations with teams interested in acquiring Ramsey this offseason. The big blockade for the Dolphins being in position to do so was, of course, that before June 1st, they’d be taking on major additional salary cap commitments to trade Ramsey. And that’s before adding on any additional finances paid. Miami, for the record, has already paid Ramsey a $4 million roster bonus back in March.

By executing a trade after June 1st, it does give the Dolphins flexibility to eat more of Ramsey’s salary in order to acquire a better asset back in a deal. The salary cap deferral savings will be offset as a result, but Miami will have a sliding scale of finances to agree to pay and still save cap space for 2025. You don’t need to look any further than the trade just announced yesterday between the San Francisco 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles for a good example.

The Eagles agreed to trade disenfranchised pass rusher Bryce Huff to San Francisco after just one year of a three-year, $51M contract signed last offseason. Huff had approximately $17 million guaranteed salary owed to him — but the Eagles agreed to eat just over $9 million of the salary to ship Huff and the other $7.95 million to San Francisco in return for a pick.

What draft pick the Eagles ultimately end up getting will be interesting, as Huff is obviously not as good a player as Ramsey, but could be a few million cheaper — although that, according to Rapoport, will ultimately be up to the Dolphins. Although Miami put on a brave face about not paying any more of Ramsey’s salary in advance of a trade, it appears as though the Dolphins may be leaning towards paying up on some of Ramsey’s money to up the trade market.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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