Top Vikings Rumor: Terrific Trade Target Drifts Away … For Now
Sometimes, the NFL can be a funny place. Strange things occur with some regularity, leading to great intrigue, interest, and maybe even some introspection (why did the Eagles opt for Reagor instead of Jefferson, Philly’s management may have have asked).
One of the top Vikings rumors from recent days, weeks, and months has been the pursuit of Jalen Ramsey. Minnesota, in theory, could have been in the mix for Miami’s top-tier corner, but that’s now dead in the water after the All Pro joined Aaron Rodgers in the Steel City. What does that mean for the team’s corner position and the possible desire for an upgrade?
The Top Vikings Rumor: Jalen Ramsey Traded to the AFC
First, a tip of the cap to Tom Pelissero, an excellent league insider who was among those to clarify the details of the trade.
Kick it over to Pelissero: “Dolphins have agreed to trade CB Jalen Ramsey, TE Jonnu Smith and a 2027 7th round pick to Pittsburgh in exchange for S Minkah Fitzpatrick and a 2027 5th round pick.” The insider also offers some details on the financial portion of things: “Ramsey’s adjusted contract includes a $1.5 million raise in 2025, making his salary $26.6M this year.”
So, it’s the AFC North instead of the NFC North for Jalen Ramsey, someone who remains one of the top corners in the NFL.
The thinking was that he would be the massive cherry on top of the Vikings’ sundae, the one capable of helping Minnesota to fully shutdown teams on Sunday. Versatile, smart, and physical, Ramsey would have become the team’s CB1 for 2025 and potentially some time afterwards. Just speculating, but a key hindrance to a deal with the Vikings may have been that the Dolphins were looking for help in the present moment — Minkah Fitzpatrick helps them win right now — instead of a future-oriented trade haul, such as draft picks. Minnesota, a team similarly looking to win in 2025, likely would have been more amenable to moving picks rather than players.
The consensus certainly appears to be that the Steelers are gearing up for contention in 2025 (as Pelissero elsewhere suggests). What happens, however, if the wheels fall off? Even worse, what happens if disaster strikes in September as a losing-streak occurs and the season quickly becomes unsalvageable inside a tough division (the Ravens and Bengals are to be respected; the Browns are still the Browns)?
One wonders if the focus would then shift in Pittsburgh, opting to prioritize the future rather than the present. Could Ramsey be traded away during the season if the team starts taking on significant water almost immediately? Since entering the NFL in 2016, Jalen Ramsey has been traded three times.
The Vikings are pleased with Byron Murphy Jr. as the top corner (as his beefy contract proves). So, too, is there optimism for what Isaiah Rodgers, Jeff Okudah, Mekhi Blackmon, and Dwight McGlothern can do, especially since the pass rush should take a large step forward with the help of Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave collapsing the pocket. Even someone like UDFA Zemaiah Vaughn is inspiring optimism.
Minnesota, quite possibly, is done at corner for 2025.
The point, folks, is simply that a “no” today isn’t a “no” forever. Jalen Ramsey is now in Pittsburgh, a reality that undermines the possibility of seeing the corner begin 2025 with the Vikings. Just note that success is far from a guarantee in Pittsburgh, so don’t say this one is 100% over.
An in-season trade, though very unlikely, isn’t an outright impossibility and neither is some sort relationship between Minnesota and Ramsey in the future totally unrealistic.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference helped with this piece.
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