The Los Angeles Rams continue to be linked to a potential reunion with star cornerback Jalen Ramsey. With rumors of Ramsey seeking a new contract and to alleviate the Rams’ salary cap constraints, Ramsey was traded to the Miami Dolphins in March 2023 for a third-round pick and TE Hunter Long. Despite the mutual interest and Ramsey’s familiarity with the Rams’ system, a reunion with the Rams appears highly unlikely due to financial, strategic, and logistical barriers. Now that June 1st has arrived and the salary cap implications have changed, let’s take a look at the reality of the numbers and other considerations.
Salary Cap Constraints
The primary obstacle to trading for Ramsey is the Rams’ limited salary cap space. According to Over The Cap, the Rams have approximately $19.55 million in cap space for the 2025 season. Ramsey, however, carries a $16.66 million cap hit for 2025, the final year of his contract with guaranteed money. While this cap hit fits just within the Rams’ available space, it leaves little room for additional roster moves, including signing their unsigned draft picks or addressing other needs.
Their draft class and existing commitments further complicate the Rams’ cap situation. The Rams have signed 19 rookies to their first contracts. This includes 18 undrafted free agents and four draft picks. So far, the Rams’ rookie draft pool for 2025 was the smallest in the NFL at $6.734 million, according to Over the Cap. Terrance Ferguson and Jarquez Hunter are the only draft picks for the Rams who have not yet signed their contracts. This reduces the Rams’ effective cap space to $14.55-16.55 million, making Ramsey’s cap hit even more difficult to absorb without significant restructuring. Additionally, the Rams have key players like running back Kyren Williams, who is eligible for an extension, and other roster holes to address, particularly at cornerback and offensive line. Allocating nearly all their cap space to Ramsey would hamstring their ability to build a balanced roster.
The Dolphins’ willingness to absorb part of Ramsey’s salary could theoretically ease the burden. However, posts on X suggest Miami is hesitant to take on significant money to facilitate a trade, as they face their own cap challenges. A trade before June 1 would have resulted in a $29.2 million cap hit for Miami, while a post-June 1 trade would reduce it to $6.7 million but create $18.47 million in dead money in 2026. Given Miami’s need to maintain flexibility for a soft rebuild, they are unlikely to cover a substantial portion of Ramsey’s salary, leaving the Rams to bear the full cap hit.
The #Dolphins appear unwilling to take on any of Jalen Ramsey guaranteed money to facilitate a trade
— NFL Rumors (@nflrums) May 6, 2025
Many #NFL teams are interested in working for a trade pic.twitter.com/vDvVq2yPp4
Contractual and Age Considerations
Ramsey’s contract adds further complexity. His three-year, $72.3 million extension with Miami, signed in September 2024, includes $24.24 million guaranteed for 2025, with no guaranteed money beyond that year. This structure provides an “escape hatch” for the acquiring team, as they could move on after 2025 without long-term financial commitments. However, Ramsey, who turned 30 in October 2024, is likely to seek a contract extension or raise upon a trade, given his history of chasing high-value deals.
For the Rams, committing to a new contract for a 31-year-old cornerback is risky. Ramsey’s performance remains strong—he played all 17 games in 2024, recording two interceptions and seven pass breakups—but his age and the physical demands of the position raise concerns about future decline. The Rams’ secondary already features aging cornerbacks like Darious Williams (32) and Ahkello Witherspoon (30), and adding another veteran could exacerbate long-term concerns rather than address them.
Strategic Misalignment
The Rams’ current roster-building philosophy also makes a Ramsey trade impractical. After their 5-12 season in 2022, the Rams shifted from an “F-them picks” approach—epitomized by trading for Ramsey in 2019 for two first-round picks—to a more sustainable model focused on draft picks and cap flexibility. Trading for Ramsey would require giving up draft capital, likely a mid-round pick, and sacrificing cap space that could be used to address multiple positions.
The Rams’ pass defense ranked 25th in DVOA in 2024, highlighting a need at cornerback. However, they did not address this position in the 2025 NFL Draft, opting instead to add depth elsewhere. This suggests a preference for developing younger players such as Durant, Kendrick, and Emmanuel Forbes or pursuing cost-effective free agents rather than investing heavily in a single veteran. A trade for Ramsey would contradict this approach, as it would consume resources needed for a long term roster upgrade.
Logistical and Timing Issues
The timing of a potential trade further complicates matters. A post-June 1 trade is feasible, but the Rams would need to navigate their cap space carefully, especially with Terrance Ferguson and Jarquez Hunter still unsigned and potential free-agent additions looming. Rams head coach Sean McVay has indicated no “meaningful dialogue” has occurred recently, suggesting a trade is not imminent.
Moreover, multiple teams, including the Washington Commanders and Dallas Cowboys, have been linked to Ramsey, increasing competition and potentially driving up the trade cost. The Rams’ leverage is limited, as Miami seeks to maximize return while minimizing financial burden.
Sentiment and Historical Context
Sentiment among Rams fans and analysts is mixed. Some, including Rams nickel Quentin Lake, are excited about a potential reunion, given Ramsey’s impact during his tenure. However, others, including NFL insider Peter Schrager, question the Rams’ enthusiasm, noting Ramsey’s $20 million annual salary as a significant hurdle. The Rams’ front office, led by general manager Les Snead, has a history of bold moves, but their 2023 trade of Ramsey for a third-round pick and tight end Hunter Long was seen as a salary dump to avoid future cap issues. Repeating a high-cost acquisition for an aging player would deviate from the lessons learned.
Final Thoughts
While the idea of Jalen Ramsey returning to the Los Angeles Rams is tantalizing, the financial, strategic, and logistical realities make it highly improbable. With $19.55 million in cap space and a $16.66 million cap hit for Ramsey, the Rams lack the flexibility to absorb his contract without compromising other priorities. His age, potential extension demands, and the team’s shift toward a sustainable roster-building approach further diminish the likelihood. As the Dolphins navigate their cap constraints and multiple teams vie for Ramsey, the Rams are better positioned to invest in younger, cost-effective solutions to bolster their secondary. For now, a Ramsey reunion remains a nostalgic dream rather than a practical reality.
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