Right when you might have thought the NFL offseason was creeping to a crawl, Pittsburgh and Miami swung a trade Monday that served as a stark reminder of the way football news can heat up at a moment's notice.
The Steelers are acquiring CB Jalen Ramsey, TE Jonnu Smith and a 2027 seventh-round pick from the Dolphins for S Minkah Fitzpatrick and a 2027 fifth-round choice. While Ramsey was expected to be moved this offseason and trade buzz had swirled around Smith, the Fitzpatrick element added some real zing to this late-June deal.
Both teams look markedly different following a swap that could have a lasting impact on their short- and long-term trajectories. Here are some winners and losers from Monday's Steelers-Dolphins trade:
WINNERS
1) Aaron Rodgers, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers. A month ago, we weren't even sure Rodgers was coming to Pittsburgh. Now, the 41-year-old has a pretty darned good setup for what might be his swan-song season.
There's no question the Steelers are going all-in this year. Whether that approach bears the kind of fruit they hope for remains to be seen. Don't forget the Jets making a similar flurry of moves around their acquisition of Rodgers two years ago, upon which they essentially doubled down last offseason, only to have little to show for it all. Then again, this torrent of transactions has to at least be exciting for supporters of a Steelers team that was seemingly stuck in neutral the past several seasons.
Rodgers has to be impressed, too. He was already on board before this trade, but now he'll have a true WR1 (DK Metcalf), two tight ends who combined for 150 catches last season (Smith and Pat Freiermuth), more help in the backfield and a young, talented starting five on the offensive line.
No one knows whether all of this will work. But there's absolutely a path where it can.
2) Arthur Smith, offensive coordinator, Pittsburgh Steelers. Fellow NFL offensive coordinators have to be jealous at Smith's apparent ability to get what he wants in terms of personnel. General manager Omar Khan and head coach Mike Tomlin ultimately make the final decisions, but based on the names they've brought in, it's quite clear they listen to Smith and seek his input.
The Steelers sniffed around the Falcons' Kyle Pitts, per NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport, and after that didn't materialize, they landed Jonnu Smith, whom we've heard for months now was one of Arthur Smith's favorite players during his time as head coach in Atlanta. This is Arthur and Jonnu's second reunion tour, following previous stints together with the Titans and Falcons.
As Khan put it, George Pickens needed "a fresh start," so the Steelers essentially swapped him for Metcalf as their new go-to receiver. They drafted Kaleb Johnson, who could be a perfect fit and upgrade over Najee Harris. They've stabilized the offensive line over the past two offseasons, and now Arthur Smith -- Mr. Tight End himself -- has a toy box full of options with which to play at the position.
If the Steelers don't score more points this season, it won't be because of a lack of offensive talent around Rodgers.
3) Jalen Ramsey, CB, Pittsburgh Steelers. When Ramsey and the Dolphins agreed to part ways this offseason, it wasn't clear where he'd end up -- and the lack of action on a trade during the draft muddied the waters even more.
Now, Ramsey joins a high-profile Steelers team that appears bent on reversing its lack of recent playoff success, determined to make a Super Bowl run in 2025. While that's not guaranteed to happen, the situation in Pittsburgh should be more conducive to success than what was going on with him in Miami.
Not only does Ramsey receive a $1.5 million boost this season (coming after the Dolphins already paid him $4 million this offseason, plus more to facilitate the trade), but he also can cash in again with a strong campaign in 2025. Yes, cornerback extensions tend to be rare for players who are 30 years old (like Ramsey) or older; then again, he need look no further than new teammate Darius Slay, who landed a three-year, $42 million extension (with $23.1 million guaranteed) with the Eagles as a 32-year-old in 2023, for proof that opportunity exists.
On the Steelers' end, Ramsey's contract -- which has three seasons but no guaranteed money remaining after 2025, per Over The Cap -- essentially makes this a one-year trial, minimizing the risk to a degree. It remains to be seen how all the secondary pieces will work together in Pittsburgh, especially when it comes to Slay's role, but this is a pretty loaded defense. Ramsey has the positional versatility to wear a number of different hats; he and Slay can easily emerge as leaders for that group, which is anchored by a strong front seven.
Ramsey's unusual skill set allows him to be a factor in coverage and make plays behind the line of scrimmage. There might not be a one-for-one replacement for the 28-year-old Fitzpatrick in Pittsburgh, and the Steelers are an even older team now, but they absolutely have the pieces to be a dominant defense. Going all in has its costs, but the potential benefits could be big, too.
4) Minkah Fitzpatrick, S, Miami Dolphins. It didn't seem like Fitzpatrick enjoyed his first Miami experience, which lasted only 18 games after he was drafted 11th overall in 2018. His time there was marred with organizational instability under Adam Gase in Fitzpatrick's rookie season, followed by some serious head-butting with then-new coach Brian Flores over his role, precipitating his trade to Pittsburgh in September of 2019.
But it's hard to imagine this Dolphins staff will want Fitzpatrick sitting up in the box the way Flores did. This secondary is undergoing massive changes, and dealing Ramsey makes Miami's CB situation even shakier. Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver used Jevon Holland effectively on the back end, helping Holland in turn score a three-year, $45.3 million deal from the Giants this offseason.
Perhaps this is a full-circle moment for Fitzpatrick. Over the past few years, he hasn't seemed to make quite as many game-changing plays as he once did, and he was shoehorned into more nickel duty in Pittsburgh. He'll have a lot on his plate in Miami, and the Super Bowl might be farther away than it was for him with the Steelers. But if Fitzpatrick becomes a rock for that secondary, he could land another extension, perhaps even before he turns 30 years old next fall, when he'll be heading into the final year of his current deal.
5) Jonnu Smith, TE, Pittsburgh Steelers. Smith has become something of a hired gun at this stage of his career, heading for his fifth team since 2020. Then again, his effectiveness and usage only seem to be on the upswing in that time period; barring two lost seasons with the Patriots, Smith reached successive personal highs in targets and catches with the Titans in 2020, Falcons in 2023 and Dolphins in 2024. He's continued to find a role, putting together his most productive NFL campaign (111 targets, 88 catches, 884 receiving yards, eight receiving TDs) in Miami in Year 8.
It speaks to Smith's versatility that he has been able to fit into different offensive systems and provide value in most of them, and he's sure to have an impact on this offense, too. But if you're worried about what his arrival means for the likes of Pat Freiermuth (who received a significant extension last September) and 2023 third-rounder Darnell Washington, I say, fear not.
Arthur Smith is nothing if not a tight end-head, showcasing the position as much as anyone in today's NFL. According to Next Gen Stats, the Steelers led the NFL in snaps in 13 personnel (one RB, three tight ends) with 163 last season, which was roughly 15% of the time. They were also a heavy 12 team, using that personnel on more than 25% of their offensive snaps. Both of those figures could go up noticeably in 2025.
Jonnu Smith might not log as many catches as he did last season, but he's likely on a better team now. Plus, he snagged a one-year, $12 million extension that should move him well up the pay ranks at the position.
LOSERS
1) Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Miami Dolphins. Tagovailoa landed a four-year, $212.4 million extension with the Dolphins just about one year ago, and it's likely to keep him in Miami for at least the next few seasons, assuming he keeps playing football. But a lot has also changed in that timeframe.
After a Week 2 concussion, Tagovailoa missed four games, with the Dolphins going 1-3 in that span. Tua mostly played well in his nine-game return, completing 74.5% of his passes and throwing for 2,384 yards, 17 TDs and four interceptions. But Miami couldn't turn out of its tailspin, and then a hip injury ended Tagovailoa's season early. Now, the trade of Jonnu Smith removed one of the QB's major weapons from the equation. In Weeks 8-16, Smith (67 targets) saw nearly as much action as Tyreek Hill (69 targets).
Hill, now 31 years old, is coming off arguably his worst season to date, and his own future with the team has looked cloudy lately. Jaylen Waddle appeared to take a step back in his development, lacking weekly consistency. Hill, Waddle, Tua and De'Von Achane still offer hopes of fielding an offense with firepower, but the Dolphins will suddenly be littered with questions if one or two things go awry with any of these core players.
2) Mike McDaniel, head coach, Miami Dolphins. Hired in 2022, McDaniel's candid presence made him a breath of fresh air in a league where his colleagues are known to be a little more buttoned-up. But he followed consecutive playoff seasons with an 8-9 dud, and pressure will surely be mounting on him to show he can get this team back on the right track.
This trade sent away the Dolphins' leading pass catcher from 2024 and one of its most talented defenders. In return, they got a safety who wasn't too thrilled last time he was in Miami. That said, trading Ramsey has long been in the cards, and McDaniel's offense hasn't traditionally relied on a volume tight end, so we can't project a guaranteed doomsday forecast here.
But the lack of depth at certain spots has to really worry McDaniel. The Fins have fallen behind the Bills in the AFC East, and the Patriots and Jets both had big offseasons, led by defensive-minded coaches who now probably smell a little blood in the shark-infested waters of South Florida. They'll be gunning to knock Miami out of that second spot in the division.
McDaniel has found ways to field a productive offense with a healthy Tagovailoa, and he could do so again. There might be some decent (and less costly) free-agent solutions to help bolster the WR and TE positions a bit in the next month before camp, while NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported that Miami is engaged on the TE trade market, as well.
But this is about as tough a spot as McDaniel's been in since taking over the job. McDaniel is no longer the new kid. He's now a man who must return his team to success after it was gutted of some talent.
3) The Dolphins' exterior defense. Again, it was no surprise that Ramsey was traded. But that doesn't make replacing nearly the entire secondary any less daunting a task for coordinator Anthony Weaver as he tries to piece that group back together.
Minkah Fitzpatrick should help fill a major void at secondary, and he has the ability to patch holes at multiple spots. He's also two years younger than Jalen Ramsey, figures to be a Day 1 leader for this team and has a golden chance to rewrite his story with the franchise.
But who is starting alongside him? Nickel CB Kader Kohou is the only other sure thing right now. Storm Duck and Cam Smith got some experience a year ago, and fifth-round CB Jason Marshall Jr. is in the mix, but Miami almost has to seek some outside help. At safety, veterans Ifeatu Melifonwu and Ashtyn Davis figure to chip in, yet the depth at both spots is lacking.
The Dolphins have thrown assets at improving the pass rush, and those moves -- plus Fitzpatrick's arrival -- honestly represent the best hope for improvement in the secondary. Much must go right for that to materialize, however.
