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Why the Rams gave CB to the Dolphins

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The Miami Dolphins are back in prime time in Week 10 for a “Monday Night Football” matchup against the Los Angeles Rams.

Both teams had byes in Week 6, but have gone in very different directions since then. Miami has lost three straight by just 10 points, while the Rams have won three straight as their offense has key players returning from injuries, including wide receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua.

One of the players tasked with covering these wideouts is former Rams All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey. The nine-year veteran made his seventh Pro Bowl last season and hasn't fallen behind this year. According to Sports Info Solutions (SIS), he is the Dolphins' best defensive back this season.

This will be the first time Ramsey will face the team he won a Super Bowl with in 2021. Here's how he got from Los Angeles to South Beach.

Why was Jalen Ramsey traded?

Ramsey was traded after the 2022 NFL season, in which the Rams set the record for most losses by a reigning Super Bowl champion at 5-12. This trade was part of what Rams general manager Les Snead called a “rebuild” in which the team worked toward a better salary cap situation.

“I think what the big picture is this year, unlike probably the last five years, we definitely need to create a healthier cap situation just because we're obviously not in a luxury tax situation,” Snead said in March 2023.

“It will be necessary to develop and mentor some younger guys through the draft and undrafted free agency and take a slightly different approach,” Rams coach Sean McVay said at the time.

The same month that Ramsey was traded, Los Angeles released leading pass rusher Leonard Floyd, wide receiver Allen Robinson II and linebacker Bobby Wagner.

Jalen Ramsey trade details

Los Angeles traded Ramsey to the Dolphins for tight end Hunter Long and a third-round pick that selected defensive end Byron Young at No. 77 overall.

Long played in 12 games with Los Angeles and had five catches for 32 yards. Young had eight sacks as a rookie last season, second on the team, and has four this year.

Both Ramsey and Rams coaches praised each other before the game.

“Both (Ramsey and wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.) left a big impact on me and this place,” McVay said Saturday. “Jaylen was here from 2019 until a few years ago… Still keep in touch with these guys, they mean a lot to me.”

“It’s going to be a great moment,” Ramsey told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. “I will try to keep my emotions intact so I can concentrate on the task at hand. Try to get in there and get a win no matter what.”

Jalen Ramsey contract

Ahead of the 2024 NFL season, Miami signed Ramsey to a record three-year, $72.3 million extension:

  • Duration: 3 years
  • Total money: $72.3 million
  • Average annual value: $24.1 million
  • Guaranteed Money: $23.24 million

This deal makes Ramsey the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL and can keep him with the team through 2028.

Here are his cap hits for the duration of the deal, according to OverTheCap:

  • 2024: $7.95 million
  • 2025: $16.66 million
  • 2026: $25.03 million
  • 2027: $26.8 million
  • 2028: $36.16 million
  • 2029 (invalid year): $12.35 million

The Dolphins can cut him against the salary cap starting in 2028 and save money (higher cap savings than dead money). Starting in 2026, you can only trade it as part of a trade after June 1st and save money.

Jalen Ramsey Stats

In 2024, Ramsey started all eight games for Los Angeles and has 29 tackles, four tackles for loss, four passes defended and one interception.

Jalen Ramsey career statistics

Ramsey has played in nine seasons for three teams: the Jacksonville Jaguars (2016-19), Rams (2019-22) and Dolphins (2023-24). Here's what his career stats and accolades look like entering Week 10 of the 2024 NFL season:

  • Interceptions: 23
  • Passes defended: 101
  • Forced fumble: 6
  • Fumble recoveries: 2
  • Sacks: 2.0
  • Tackles: 503
  • 3x First Team All-Pro (2017, 2020, 2021)
  • 7x Pro Bowl (2017-19, 2020-23)

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