Over one month has passed since it became clear Jalen Ramsey and the Dolphins are looking to part ways. Potential suitors have known about the possibility of a trade for even longer, but the All-Pro corner remains a member of the organization for now. 
That is still expected to change shortly, however. Neither finances nor skill are seen as the driving forces for a split between team and player in this case. Rather, tension between Ramsey and head coach Mike McDaniel was reported to have resulted in a mutual decision to move on. The latest comments on the matter from defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver confirm that is the case.
“In this game, things change by the day,” Weaver said (via C. Isaiah Smalls II of the Miami Herald). “I have a tremendous amount of respect [for] Ramsey. He played very good ball for us but relationships are hard. Both sides have mutually chosen to go the other way. I respect that and wish him nothing but the best.”
Ramsey has spent the past two seasons in South Beach, and after a knee injury limited him to 10 games in 2023 he managed a full season last year. The seven-time Pro Bowler is under contract for the next four years as a result of Miami’s willingness to keep him in place through the remainder of his prime, but a reversal of that move should be coming soon. A trade after June 1 rather than before will be more feasible for the Dolphins from a cap perspective, leaving time for an agreement with an interested party to be worked out.
Ramsey hopes to continue his career on a contender, and a reunion with the Rams has been mentioned on multiple occasions as something Los Angeles would welcome. It remains to be seen how much – if any – of the 30-year-old’s outstanding guarantees the Dolphins are prepared to absorb in a trade, something which will no doubt be a crucial factor in any agreement. The Cowboys could find themselves in the running for a Ramsey acquisition, but that does not appear to be likely at this point.
The Dolphins created one need for a new starting cornerback when they released Kendall Fuller. Moving on from Ramsey will open another first-team vacancy, so it comes as no surprise they have shown interest in some of the top remaining free agents at the position. Miami has been in contact with Asante Samuel Jr., while an offer has already been made to Rasul Douglas. James Bradberry could be an outside option, although expectations would be limited in his case if he signs anywhere for 2025.
Miami’s in-house corners will also be counted on to develop this season with multiple starters no longer in the fold; Cam Smith in particular could be in store for an uptick in workload. Plenty of uncertainty looms over how the Dolphins’ secondary will take shape this season, although it remains a foregone conclusion in the team’s view that Ramsey will not suit up for them again.