NEWSLETTER
I was trying to take it easy today with the legal tampering period opening tomorrow, I really was. But, things are happening. NFL Media’s Ian Rapport and CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson are reporting that the Rams and Dolphins are deep in discussions that would send All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey to the Miami Dolphins.
And it appears that Jalen Ramsey is pretty happy about the news this afternoon.
The Rams have been working to shed salary the last couple of weeks. Los Angeles has moved on from a few players, most notable linebackers Leonard Floyd and Bobby Wagner.
Los Angeles was $9.3 million over the cap when we previewed the Rams offseason resources on February 24. Via Over the Cap’s cap calculator, a trade of Ramsey and the release of Wagner and the other moves that the Rams have made to date puts them roughly $1.5 million under the cap.
A long way to go for the Rams to be able to have some spending power in free agency, but they’re making their way.
For Miami, they’re getting a 28-year-old cornerback who can help bolster their defense. Defense was one of Miami’s soft spots heading into the offseason. Dolphins’ head coach Mike McDaniel fired former defensive coordinator Josh Boyer and his staff after the season. McDaniel replace Boyer with defensive guru Vic Fangio.
Ramsey logged 88 tackles and four interceptions this season on his way to a sixth Pro Bowl selection. Ramsey has three years left on his current deal and will come with a $25.2 million cap hit in 2023, $26.7 million in 2024, and $22.7 million in 2025.
Although, I would expect to hear discussions of an extension between Ramsey and the Dolphins crop of fairly quickly after the trade is finalized.
UPDATE (March 12, 2023 – 1:20 PM CT)
According to Ian Rapport, the deal is now agreed to. The Dolphins are receiving Ramsey from the Rams. Miami is sending a third-round pick and TE Hunter Long to Los Angeles in exchange.
The return makes it clear that the Rams were just looking to dump Ramsey and his salary. Los Angeles is heading for a re-tool period as GM Les Snead called it last week. It makes you wonder what the future might hold for QB Matthew Stafford.
Also, Ramsey and the Dolphins have re-worked the cornerbacks contract. Ramsey will make $36.9 million fully guaranteed over the next two seasons with the Dolphins and become a free agent after the 2024 season.
