Breaking Down the Impact of Jalen Ramsey and Jonnu Smith Joining the Steelers, and Minkah Fitzpatrick’s Return to Miami

In a surprising late-June shake-up, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Miami Dolphins agreed to a multi-player deal that sends CB Jalen Ramsey, TE Jonnu Smith, and a 2027 seventh-round pick to Pittsburgh in exchange for S Minkah Fitzpatrick and a 2027 fifth-round selection.

Ramsey and Smith had both been mentioned frequently in offseason trade chatter. Heck, Ramsey even announced the trade himself on social media. However, the inclusion of Fitzpatrick caught many off guard and sent social media into a frenzy.

What This Means For Pittsburg:

After signing Aaron Rodgers and trading for DK Metcalf, this move removes all doubt: the Steelers are going all-in.

Adding Jalen Ramsey gives Pittsburgh a legitimate corner to pair with Joey Porter Jr., turning a developing secondary into a potentially elite one. Ramsey may be entering his 10th NFL season, but he’s still producing at a high level (57 tackles, 11 passes defended, and 2 interceptions in 2024). More importantly, his presence allows defensive coordinator Teryl Austin to dial up more man coverage, disguise blitz packages, and neutralize opposing WR1s in ways this team simply couldn’t last year.

Jonnu Smith may not have broken the internet to the same extent, but his arrival matters. Smith brings versatility: he’s a strong run blocker, can line up in-line or flex out, and creates matchup problems—especially in the red zone. Reuniting with Arthur Smith, his offensive coordinator in Tennessee and head coach in Atlanta, gives Jonnu comfort and familiarity, allowing him to thrive in heavier personnel and play-action schemes.

The Steelers are sending a clear message: they believe their window is open now, and they’re doing everything to maximize their chances this year (all while fans patiently await an extension announcement for T.J. Watt).

Fitzpatrick Returns to Miami:

For Miami, this trade is about reshaping the defense. Minkah Fitzpatrick returns to where his career began, bringing experience, leadership, and playmaking ability to a Dolphins defense that ranked middle of the pack in 2024. This offseason also saw the loss of Jevon Holland, their talented young safety who entered free agency after four seasons and signed a lucrative three-year, $45.3 million deal with the New York Giants, leaving a significant hole in the Dolphins’ secondary.

Miami now relies heavily on younger, less-proven players to step up and develop. Fitzpatrick’s return provides much-needed veteran leadership and stability, but the secondary overall remains a work in progress as the Dolphins look to rebuild depth and cohesion around this young core.

In 2024, Fitzpatrick posted 88 tackles, 4 passes defensed and 1 interception.

He still possesses the range, instincts, and versatility to move around the coverage scheme. Whether Miami features him deep, in the slot, or near the line will depend on how the rest of their defensive backfield shakes out, but his reintroduction brings structure and leadership to the unit.

Final Thoughts:

Time will tell, and we’ll debate winners and losers deep into the season, but a few things are clear:

The Steelers are done waiting. Rodgers, Metcalf, Ramsey, Jonnu Smith, this team is built to contend now. Now, whether that translates into wins remains to be seen, but they’ve added championship experience across all three phases of the game.

The Dolphins are reshuffling pieces to better fit their system. At just 28 years old, Fitzpatrick still has plenty of football left in the tank. He fits their coverage needs perfectly and brings a stabilizing presence to the back end of their defense.

We’ll get our first look at these players when training camps open: Miami’s veterans report on July 22 and Pittsburgh’s on July 23.