Oct 29, 2023; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey (5) reacts against the New England Patriots during the second quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Steelers Take On Huge Chunk of Jalen Ramsey Contract

Originally posted on Pittsburgh Steelers on SI
By Noah Strackbein | Last updated Jun 30, 2025 3:30 PM ET

The Pittsburgh Steelers made a blockbuster trade with the Miami Dolphins, adding Jalen Ramsey and Jonnu Smith to their roster, while also moving on from Minkah Fitzpatrick.

The move came with player and pick swaps, but plenty of money moved in the process as well. Fitzpatrick was set to hold just under a $23 million cap hit this season, while Ramsey comes with a contract that runs through the 2028 season.

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Steelers are taking on most of Ramsey's contract after the trade. The 30-year-old was paid $4 million by the Dolphins this offseason, and Miami will take on another $3 million this season. But Pittsburgh will pay the remainder of Ramsey's $26.6 million contract this year.

This comes after Pittsburgh gave Ramsey a $1.5 million raise this season.

The #Dolphins had previously paid Jalen Ramsey $4M this offseason and they added another $3M more to facilitate the trade — for a total of $7M. The #Steelers will pay the rest of the $26.6M this year. https://t.co/XouZmMIpbo
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 30, 2025

Ramsey's cap hit next season is just over $18 million, with a $20 million hit in 2027 and a $30 million cap hit in 2028. There's a potential out after the 2025 season for the Steelers, with $15.1 million in dead cap space if they chose to release the seven-time Pro Bowler.

This season, Ramsey will hold an estimaed $7.4 million cap hit for Pittsburgh, according to Spotrac.

The Steelers will look for Ramsey to solidify their defense and be another strong force as they look to make a Super Bowl run. The team appears to be all-in on the 2025 campaign, with Ramsey joining Joey Porter Jr. and Darius Slay at cornerback, and DeShon Elliott and Juan Thornhill in the secondary.

This article first appeared on Pittsburgh Steelers on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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