MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The Miami Dolphins wish to commerce three-time All-Professional cornerback Jalen Ramsey, common supervisor Chris Grier stated throughout a information convention Tuesday.
Grier didn’t specify the explanations behind his determination to commerce Ramsey however clarified that the seven-time Professional Bowler didn’t request a commerce or a wage adjustment.
The Dolphins have thought-about buying and selling Ramsey for weeks now. Regardless of a skinny cornerbacks room behind Ramsey, Grier stated transferring on from the star cornerback provides the staff the “greatest probability to assist us win not solely simply this yr, however sooner or later as properly.”
“Actually after a pair weeks of discussions between ourselves internally and Jalen and his illustration, we determined that it was most likely in one of the best curiosity for all events to maneuver ahead,” Grier stated. “I’ll say these choices aren’t performed rapidly and so they’re not taken calmly as a result of we spent a number of time this offseason working via this, speaking via issues. On the finish of the day, Jalen didn’t ask for a commerce.
“We went via the method, and I simply felt that after quite a few conversations after which speaking final week with Jalen and his agent, that it was greatest to maneuver ahead, and it was greatest curiosity of the Miami Dolphins and for Jalen Ramsey.”
Grier stated he is not positive whether or not a commerce will come collectively earlier than subsequent weekend’s NFL draft, but when one does materialize, the Dolphins can have a transparent want on the cornerback place.
Kader Kohou will probably be the staff’s beginning slot cornerback, though Grier stated the staff sees him as capable of play each inside and outdoors. Miami signed former first-round choose Artie Burns in free company and nonetheless has Ethan Bonner, Storm Duck and Jason Maitre on its roster.
The catalyst for Miami’s defensive secondary is likely to be the event of former second-round choose Cam Smith, who performed simply six video games final season. He seldom performed as a rookie in 2023, logging snaps totally on particular groups; Grier stated the 24-year-old must take a step ahead this season.
“Cam Smith wants to return via on the finish of the day, he is received to remain wholesome and be on the sector,” Grier stated. “He has proven some flashes, however it is a very huge yr of him. He is aware of what’s anticipated, as a result of we won’t maintain his hand and anticipate him anymore.”
The Dolphins personal the thirteenth choose on this yr’s draft and 10 complete draft picks, though Grier stated he’s prepared to commerce down if the correct supply presents itself. One supply he isn’t pursuing, he stated, is a commerce involving vast receiver Tyreek Hill — however Grier stated he’d take into account doing so if he had been provided two first-round picks.
Conserving Hill would coincide with the Dolphins’ intention to contend in 2025 after lacking the playoffs final season. Grier stated buying and selling Ramsey doesn’t represent a rebuild on their finish.
“That phrase has not been introduced up in any respect,” he stated. “Now we have a number of actually good soccer gamers on this roster nonetheless, at some locations that influence video games. In order that phrase has not been used in any respect and our purpose is to win this yr and hold successful for sustained success sooner or later.”
Dolphins proprietor Stephen Ross issued a public assertion shortly after the staff’s season-ending loss to the New York Jets in January, confirming each Grier and coach Mike McDaniel would return in 2025.
In that assertion, nevertheless, he stated he was not glad with the “established order” and insisted that the staff would pursue an enchancment from its 8-9 document in 2024. Grier stated Ross didn’t challenge any type of ultimatum to him or McDaniel that they’d be fired in the event that they did not attain a sure stage of success.
“No, there hasn’t been, however hear — Mike and I wish to win most likely greater than you guys in right here simply to get you guys off our backs,” he stated. “However on the finish of the day, it is the NFL. The loopy factor is once you hear a few of the actually good head coaches on this league which have gained on a regular basis, and individuals are calling for them to get fired after a season — it’s simply the character of the beast … on the finish of the day, you must simply work and attempt to drown out the noise.”
The Dolphins have already paid Ramsey a $4 million roster bonus in the beginning of the league yr; any staff that trades for him could be answerable for the remaining $21 million owed to him in 2025.
The Dolphins despatched a third-round choose and tight finish Hunter Lengthy to the Los Angeles Rams in March 2023 in alternate for Ramsey, and he signed a three-year, $55 million restructured extension upon his arrival. He was named to the Professional Bowl that season regardless of lacking seven video games, and signed a three-year, $72.3 million extension shortly earlier than the beginning of the 2024 season. He was credited with 11 cross breakups in 2024 however recorded solely two interceptions — his lowest complete since 2020.
