Miami’s native son is staying home. Just one week after the Dolphins made the easy decision and locked in coach Mike McDaniel for the foreseeable future, they are doing the same for the anchor of their defense.
Jalen Ramsey and the Dolphins have agreed to terms on a three-year, $72.3 million contract extension, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport and NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe reported on Thursday, according to sources with knowledge of the situation.
The $24.1 million per-year deal will make Ramsey the league’s highest-paid cornerback, according to Rapoport and Wolfe.
“When everyone knows the name of someone that’s joining the team, and that name is based upon a reputation of talent and skill, everyone’s excited,” McDaniel said. “You’re always excited to see how that person’s going to fit in within the overall complexion of (the team), and since he’s been here, it’s almost felt mutually purposeful in that Jalen saw a different level of player and leader that this team could benefit from.
“He seized that, and I think the team has definitely benefited from it.”
Despite an unfavorable and shaky tenure in Miami thus far, which includes multiple injuries dating back to last season, Ramsey’s production on the field as a suffocating lockdown cornerback has been invaluable for the Dolphins.
Ramsey tallied three interceptions and five pass break-ups in 10 games played during his inaugural campaign for the Dolphins in 2023, good for a 52.9 passer rating allowed when opposing quarterbacks dared to throw in his vicinity, according to Pro Football Focus. His presence alone helped lift Miami into a wild-card spot in the midst of a razor-thin AFC race last season.
The Dolphins, who were in desperate need of a corner that effectively cuts off one side of the field, acquired Ramsey via trade ahead of the 2023 season from the Los Angeles Rams. Ramsey certainly did that, but how they implement his skill set might change in 2024.
Embed from Getty ImagesAnthony Weaver intends to make Ramsey travel around the field more in his first year as Dolphins defensive coordinator, replacing Vic Fangio, calling the seven-time Pro Bowler “the ultimate chess piece.” That would mean more play-making opportunities are in line for Ramsey, who has come down with 22 interceptions, 97 pass defenses and six forced fumbles in eight seasons played.
“I’m hopeful. I’m hopeful. I say prayers every night, we talk to God,” Weaver said. “But the one thing I do know about Jalen, is that it’s not for a lack of work ethic. He’s doing everything he can in the training room to try to put himself out there. We just got to be smart and cognizant that we do have two games in whatever that is, a little over a week, so we’ll see.”
Before the NFL world see how that plan plays out, Ramsey must first battle back from a lingering hamstring injury that has kept him off the practice field in the ramp up to Week 1. But the Dolphins can meanwhile take solace in knowing the 29-year-old will remain with the organization for many years to come as Miami looks to put an end to a horrific playoff losing streak with a contending roster this season.
The former first-round pick out of Florida State University has been one of the league’s premier corners since being drafted in 2016, earning three All-Pro selections.
According to NFL Research, only four corner backs in the Super Bowl era have more All-Pro honors than Ramsey; Hall of Famers Deion Sanders (6), Rod Woodson (5), Darrelle Revis (4) and Willie Brown (4).
Ramsey seems destined to one day join them in Canton on the ultimate team, and the Dolphins ensured he will play out the rest of his prime in South Beach by paying him accordingly.
