MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The Miami Dolphins wish to commerce three-time All-Professional cornerback Jalen Ramsey, normal supervisor Chris Grier stated throughout a information convention Tuesday.
Grier didn’t specify the explanations behind his resolution to commerce Ramsey however clarified that the seven-time Professional Bowler didn’t request a commerce or a wage adjustment.
The Dolphins have thought of buying and selling Ramsey for weeks now. Regardless of a skinny cornerbacks room behind Ramsey, Grier stated transferring on from the star cornerback offers the workforce the “greatest likelihood to assist us win not solely simply this yr, however sooner or later as nicely.”
“Actually after a pair weeks of discussions between ourselves internally and Jalen and his illustration, we determined that it was in all probability in the most effective curiosity for all events to maneuver ahead,” Grier stated. “I’ll say these selections aren’t achieved shortly and so they’re not taken frivolously as a result of we spent lots of time this offseason working by this, speaking by issues. On the finish of the day, Jalen didn’t ask for a commerce.
“We went by 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.”
Editor’s Picks
2 Associated
Grier stated he is not certain 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 doubtless be the workforce’s beginning slot cornerback, though Grier stated the workforce sees him as in a position to play each inside and outdoors. Miami signed former first-round decide 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 perhaps the event of former second-round decide 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 by on the finish of the day, he is obtained to remain wholesome and be on the sector,” Grier stated. “He has proven some flashes, however this can be a very massive yr of him. He is aware of what’s anticipated, as a result of we won’t maintain his hand and look forward to him anymore.”
The Dolphins personal the thirteenth decide on this yr’s draft and 10 whole draft picks, though Grier stated he’s prepared to commerce down if the fitting supply presents itself. One supply he isn’t pursuing, he stated, is a commerce involving extensive receiver Tyreek Hill — however Grier stated he’d take into account doing so if he have been supplied two first-round picks.
Retaining 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. “We have now lots of actually good soccer gamers on this roster nonetheless, at some locations that impression video games. In order that phrase has not been used in any respect and our aim 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 workforce’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, nonetheless, he stated he was not happy with the “establishment” and insisted that the workforce would pursue an enchancment from its 8-9 file in 2024. Grier stated Ross didn’t difficulty any kind 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 pay attention — Mike and I wish to win in all probability 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 if you hear among 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, it’s a must to simply work and attempt to drown out the noise.”
The Dolphins have already paid Ramsey a $4 million roster bonus initially of the league yr; any workforce that trades for him could be liable for the remaining $21 million owed to him in 2025.
The Dolphins despatched a third-round decide 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 go breakups in 2024 however recorded solely two interceptions — his lowest whole since 2020.
