Steelers trade for Jalen Ramsey

Have you not been watching politicians for the last 4 decades?

 

I realize Ramsey is the headliner in this deal, but the Jonnu Smith part of this deal is being undersold by some here I think. The guy had close to 900 yards and 8 TD's last year. I'm a Penn Stater, so I'm biased for Freiermuth, but's that's significantly better numbers than he's ever had. I wonder which TE that puts on the outs. I'd think probably Washington.

Also we got a 7th back for our 5th

 

So no more cap space? So how does this affect tj?

 

At first take, I'm good with this. Though I've thought Minkah's decline in productivity was more scheme related, Thornhill should be viable in the short term, and I wouldn't be surprised to see Slay or Ramsey transition to FS down the road should they not acquire another long-term solution.

I'm interested to see the financial details. Off the top, the Steelers shed $15.5M from Minkah's base - his $6.8M signing bonus prorations now convert to dead money prorations over the next two seasons.

Sounds like Smith and Ramsey will both see re-worked contracts. Right now, Ramsey is a bit confusing - his $6.7M signing bonus prorations stay in Miami, as does his $4M roster bonus triggered earlier this offseason. That leaves $1.25M in base + $3.8M option bonus that triggers in late August (and extends another four years), + ~$1M in per game and workout bonuses = $6.05M. However, OTC notes $24M in guaranteed salary this year - my guess is that they didn't re-adjust this line when the Dolphins converted some base salary to signing bonus in a restructure last year, as this line represents how much of the player's base salary in that year is guaranteed and that's obviously a lot less post-restructure.

Longer term, I suspect they'll want to get out of the option bonus layering the Dolphins employed beginning with this summer. They used three in succession, each extending five years, the third ending in 2031 (his final three seasons are all void years for cap purposes). This is becoming a popular practice with more than just top-five QB contracts these days, but usually with players on the other side of 30. Given Ramsey's age and the FO's abstaining from the practice to date, I expect they'll look to go another route with compensation should they wish to keep him beyond this season.

Smith is rumored to be getting a 1yr/$12M extension when the trade becomes official, but for now comes with a $3.5M base + $600k in roster and per game bonuses for 2025.

So $15.5M - $6.05M - $4.1M = $8.35M in savings at face value.

Gains
CB Jalen Ramsey
TE Jonnu Smith
2027 7th round pick
$8.4M in cap space

Losses
FS Minkah Fitzpatrick
2027 5th round pick

 

Feels like they're gonna extend TJ, rework a couple deals, and might still have enough left for another add (WR, S, OL depth).

 

Steelers Depot using some math straight outta Washington

 

Was not expecting the Minkah part of the deal and will be very sorry to see him go. It was going to be tough to keep him after 2025 anyway on that deal I suppose.

They have Thornhill and can pick someone else up pretty easily you’d imagine

 

One thing for sure, the Steelers make most seasons interesting and worth watching, until the playoff game at least.

 

I saw that, too. I'm waiting for the dust to settle to see how the financials play out. According to OTC, his cap number in Miami for 2025 was $16.6M, so I'm not sure where the $26M is coming from, unless they're basing it off the guaranteed number OTC had that's equally confusing.

 

Unless a typo, looks like the draft capital are 2027 picks. Missed that.

 

Man I have been shot on this off season with GP now Minka. Wow.

 

Yeah, good catch. I can't even blame adult beverages. Yet.

 

this makes Rodgers and Friermuth happy!

 

Khan can't help us with that

 

he was great for a while, but not the past 2 seasons, IMO

 

Yeah. I don't hate this trade, and give props to Khan for at least recognizing that a declining Minkah wasn't producing in this scheme. We will see how Ramsey works out; he has been on the decline as well, but may fit better.

The TE may be the best part of the deal.

 

There is still a role for Washington as the 6th lineman and getting his one or 2 targets a game.

 

Not bad ... at least something different to watch !

 

This seems like a great trade to me. If you consider Ramsey and Fitzpatrick an even exchange, as I do, the rest of the deal is Jonnu Smith and more cap space for a late-round draft swap. Given how good Jonnu has been the last couple of years, the first of which was under our offensive coordinator, I think that's a steal!

 

Yeah, they definitely don’t like paying “record breaking” payouts that significantly impact the Cap, particularly if you’re in a 2year decline.

Thing is, for me, it’s always one step forward, two back.

As previously stated, they’re still gearing up for next years draft in the BURGH!

 

That's a lot of money going to Ramsey they better hope he has something left in the tank.