Now that the 2025 NFL draft has concluded, the online chatter indicates the Rams are still considering a trade to reunite with Jalen Ramsey. According to various reports, Les Snead has been in contact with the Miami Dolphins, who have placed Ramsey on the trade block after two seasons. While the prospect of Ramsey’s return to Los Angeles is tantalizing, significant financial and logistical hurdles stand in the way. As the online chatter continues to roll, let’s take a look at the motivations behind the potential trade, the challenges involved, and how Ramsey’s return could reshape the Rams’ defense for the 2025 season and beyond.
A Storied Partnership: Ramsey and the Rams
Jalen Ramsey’s tenure with the Rams from 2019 to 2022 was nothing short of transformative. Acquired from the Jacksonville Jaguars in a trade involving two first-round picks and a fourth-rounder, Ramsey quickly established himself as a cornerstone of the Rams’ secondary. His versatility, physicality, and football IQ made him a perfect fit for Sean McVay’s aggressive, star-driven roster-building philosophy. In 2021, Ramsey’s lockdown coverage was instrumental in the Rams’ Super Bowl LVI victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.
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However, financial constraints following the 2022 season—a disappointing 5-12 campaign—forced the Rams to make tough decisions. Ramsey was traded to the Miami Dolphins in 2023 for a third-round pick and tight end Hunter Long, a move driven by the need to clear cap space and shift toward a more draft-centric roster rebuild. Despite the trade, Ramsey’s impact on the Rams lingered, and both McVay and general manager Les Snead have expressed admiration for the three-time first-team All-Pro. Now, with Ramsey back on the trade market, the Rams see an opportunity to recapture the magic of their championship run.
The Trade Buzz: Why Now?
The Rams’ interest in Ramsey comes at a pivotal moment. After a 10-7 record in 2024 and a solid draft for 2025, the Rams are balancing immediate competitiveness with long-term sustainability. The Rams’ offseason has been marked by strategic moves, including a restructured two-year, $80 million contract for quarterback Matthew Stafford, the re-signing of Alaric Jackson, and the release of Cooper Kupp. This financial maneuvering has fueled speculation that Snead and McVay are plotting a significant acquisition, with Ramsey emerging as a prime target.
The Rams’ failure to address the cornerback position in the 2025 NFL Draft, despite it being a noted area of need, further intensifies the Ramsey rumors. The team’s current cornerback trio consists of Darious Williams, Cobie Durant, and the recently re-signed Ahkello Witherspoon, who inked a one-year, $1.2 million deal. While Durant, the youngest of the group at under 30, shows promise, the unit lacks the elite playmaking ability Ramsey brings. Snead’s pre-draft conversations with the Dolphins suggest the Rams are seriously exploring a reunion, though both sides agreed to revisit talks after the draft.
The Financial Hurdle: Ramsey’s Contract
The primary obstacle to a Ramsey trade is his hefty contract. Ramsey, who turns 31 in October 2025, is due $25.1 million in 2025, with all but $865,000 fully guaranteed. He is also set to begin a three-year, $72.3 million extension signed with the Dolphins in 2024, making him the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history for the second time in his career. With the Rams sitting at $19.8 million in cap space as of May 1, 2025, absorbing Ramsey’s salary would require creative financial engineering.
Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer notes that the Dolphins would likely need to absorb a portion of Ramsey’s guaranteed money to facilitate a trade. This could involve Miami “buying” a draft pick by offsetting part of the salary, a strategy that would make the deal more palatable for the Rams. Breer suggests that few teams have the cap space or budget to take on Ramsey’s contract at this stage of the offseason, giving the Rams leverage if they can navigate the financial complexities.
Jalen Ramsey is a GREAT football player
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) April 15, 2025
"What the Dolphins are doing makes no sense"@bubbagumpino #PMSLive https://t.co/umSLrnX5yf pic.twitter.com/JBUAHlXa23
A New Role for Ramsey: The Rod Woodson Blueprint
Beyond the financial considerations, Ramsey’s age and evolving skill set add another layer to the trade discussion. At 31, Ramsey remains a top-tier cornerback, as evidenced by Pro Football Focus awarding him the fifth-highest grade of his nine-year career in 2024, despite a career-high 70.8% completion percentage allowed. However, Breer proposes that Ramsey could extend his career by transitioning to safety, following the path of Hall of Famer Rod Woodson.
Woodson, who played 12 seasons as a cornerback, earned seven Pro Bowls and five All-Pro selections before moving to safety at age 34. He thrived in the new role, making four more Pro Bowls and winning a Super Bowl with the Baltimore Ravens in 2000. Ramsey, with his physicality, instincts, and versatility, could similarly excel as a safety, providing the Rams with a long-term solution in the secondary. This potential position change makes the trade more appealing, as it mitigates concerns about Ramsey’s age and aligns with the Rams’ youth-driven defensive rebuild under coordinator Chris Shula.
Strategic Implications: A Defense Reimagined
A reunion with Ramsey would have profound implications for the Rams’ defense. The team’s current secondary, while serviceable, lacks a true game-changer. Ramsey’s ability to erase top receivers, play multiple positions (including slot and outside corner), and disrupt passing games would elevate a unit already featuring young talents like edge rusher Jared Verse and defensive tackle Kobie Turner. His familiarity with McVay’s system and relationships with coaches like assistant head coach Aubrey Pleasant would ensure a seamless integration.
Moreover, Ramsey’s leadership and championship pedigree could galvanize a roster aiming to reclaim its status as a Super Bowl contender. The Rams’ aggressive offseason moves—such as acquiring wide receiver Davante Adams to bolster the offense—signal a “win-now” mentality. Pairing Ramsey with Stafford, Adams, and receiver Nacua would recreate the star-heavy formula that powered the 2021 championship, while the team’s recent draft success provides a foundation for sustained competitiveness.
The Road Ahead: Challenges and Opportunities
While the Rams are enthusiastic about a potential reunion, several factors could complicate the trade. The Dolphins’ willingness to absorb part of Ramsey’s salary will be critical, as will the trade compensation. A hypothetical trade proposal suggests the Rams could offer two sixth-round picks, reflecting Ramsey’s diminished trade value compared to his 2019 acquisition. However, competition from other teams, as noted by McVay and Snead, could drive up the price or derail the deal altogether.
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Timing is another consideration. The Dolphins may delay a trade until after June 1, 2025, to spread Ramsey’s cap hit over two seasons, saving $5.9 million in dead money, according to Rams Wire. The Rams, with training camp not starting until July, can afford to be patient, especially given Ramsey’s familiarity with their system.
Wrap Up: A Bold Move for a Bright Future
The prospect of Jalen Ramsey returning to the Los Angeles Rams is a tantalizing one, blending nostalgia with strategic ambition. For a team that has thrived on bold roster moves under McVay and Snead, reuniting with a proven champion like Ramsey aligns with their relentless pursuit of excellence. While financial and logistical challenges loom large, the Rams’ cap flexibility, draft capital, and vision for Ramsey’s future role make the trade a realistic possibility.
If the Rams can navigate the complexities and bring Ramsey back to SoFi Stadium, they could solidify their defense and send a clear message to the NFL: Los Angeles is all-in for another Super Bowl run. As the offseason unfolds, all eyes will be on Snead and McVay to see if they can pull off yet another masterstroke in their quest to reclaim gridiron glory.
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