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USA Today
30-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Steelers-Dolphins trade: Who won and lost as Jalen Ramsey, Minkah Fitzpatrick get moved?
June is typically the quietest month on the NFL calendar – for whatever that's worth. But Monday offered further proof that America's favorite sports league never really goes dormant, the final day of the month coming with quite the exclamation point as the Pittsburgh Steelers and Miami Dolphins completed a trade as notable as any that's occurred this offseason. CB Jalen Ramsey and TE Jonnu Smith are headed to the Steel City, while FS Minkah Fitzpatrick returns to South Florida eight years after the Fins took him with the 11th selection of the 2018 draft. The teams also swapped Day 3 picks of the 2027 draft, Miami upgrading with a fifth-rounder in exchange for a seventh-rounder. On a day when the winners and losers are usually reserved for Wimbledon, we've got quite a few more to sort through … WINNERS Not only did the three-time All-Pro engineer his departure from Miami, the Steelers also gave Ramsey a $1.5 million raise – he'll be paid $26.6 million in 2025, according to ESPN and the NFL Network. He jumps to a team seemingly in better position to contend as he heads into the 10th season of his exceptional pro career, and – as a defensive back – it certainly doesn't hurt to play behind a pass rush that includes T.J. Watt (presumably), Cam Heyward an Alex Highsmith, among others. TRADE GRADES: Report cards for Steelers, Dolphins following blockbuster The Steelers' new quarterback and offensive coordinator, respectively, welcome another weapon with the arrival of Jonnu Smith. Whether it was his protection, body, age or scheme (and maybe all of the above), Rodgers spent much of last season getting the ball out quickly and throwing down the seams in the intermediate part of the field – which means Jonnu Smith could get a steady of diet balls. And he should hit the ground running given this will be his third stint playing for Arthur Smith, who also coached him in Tennessee and Atlanta and now has another component for his attack on whom he can rely. Much has been made of the fact that Tomlin, who's about to embark on his 19th season as Pittsburgh's head coach has never suffered a losing season … nor has the man who took the Steelers to the Super Bowl twice in his first four years won a playoff game since the 2016 postseason. But you can't accuse him or Khan, entering his fourth season as general manager, of operating conservatively in recent months. Monday's deal follows the long-awaited signing of Rodgers and trade for WR DK Metcalf plus the departure of WR George Pickens in recent months, among other moves. TBD whether a more aggressive approach translates into a deeper playoff run, but it does seem to indicate a shifting mindset for a team that might up hosting a very eventful draft in 2026 – regardless of what happens in 2025, which is likely to be Rodgers' final ride. All due respect to Robert Woods, Calvin Austin III, Roman Wilson, Scotty Miller, Ben Skowronek and others, but Metcalf remains the only bona fide wideout threat on this roster – though it's still worth wondering if Khan makes a run at an unsigned veteran like Keenan Allen or Amari Cooper. Regardless, Smith instantly provides a genuine threat in the intermediate part of the field – one who will doubtless make opposing safeties think twice about shading too far toward Metcalf on the boundary and should consequently create more opportunities for a player who averaged 121 targets during his six seasons with the Seattle Seahawks. Speaking of target share, barring the acquisition of an established pass-catching tight end – and that could still happen – it's not immediately clear who gets the bulk of the 111 Smith had for the Dolphins in 2024. Regardless, Achane (his 78 receptions last season trailed only Smith and WR Tyreek Hill for the Dolphins), a running back whose speed is especially frightening when he has space to operate, figures to benefit. And given QB Tua Tagovailoa's penchant to get the ball out quickly − per Next Gen Stats, his average time to throw, 2.42 seconds, was the fastest among qualifying quarterbacks in 2024 − Achane seems particularly likely to see more balls coming his way. And, for what it's worth, Achane may also have to run the ball more, too – out of necessity – though he does seem to be a guy where less volume means more big plays, his touches more than doubling to 281 in 2024, though his yards per fell by more than 2 yards. Not only does he get to team up with Rodgers while joining a scheme he's intimately familiar with, the veteran tight end gets his contract extended through the 2026 season, during which he stands to make $12 million. LOSERS He's coming off a career year, his 88 catches for 884 yards and eight touchdowns for the Dolphins last season rendering Smith one of the most productive tight ends in the league. As well as he should fit into Pittsburgh's offense, Smith is highly unlikely to ever approach those numbers again with this team (he never caught more than 50 passes in a season during his other hitches with Arthur Smith). But at least the Steelers have already handsomely rewarded Jonnu Smith, who signed a two-year, $8.4 million deal with Miami last year. As much as Arthur Smith fancies double- and triple-tight sets, Jonnu Smith's arrival is going to cut significantly into the playing time for Pittsburgh's three other tight ends. Washington is mostly a glorified tackle, so his role and snap count may not change all that much. But Freiermuth's numbers seem like to suffer and Heyward, the younger brother of team captain Cam Heyward, could even find himself on the roster bubble. It's rare to see a Round 1 pick dealt midway through his second season, but Fitzpatrick wanted out of Miami in 2019 – he didn't feel like his abilities and role with the team aligned – yet now he's reunited with GM Chris Grier, who drafted him in the first place. Miami certainly had a hole to fill in its lineup after losing S Jevon Holland in free agency this year, so Fitzpatrick certainly helps from that standpoint. But he'll no longer get to leverage a Watt-led pass rush. And despite being a five-time Pro Bowler, including each of the past three seasons, Fitzpatrick hasn't been producing the big plays that forged his reputation years ago – generating just one turnover, total, since the start of the 2023 campaign. Smith led Miami with 88 catches last season. Now a quarterback who's eager to distribute the ball but is also prone to concussions, has lost his security blanket. Maybe this will make more sense down the line, but for right now...? Miami's GM and head coach, respectively, seem to have authored a transaction that doesn't exactly smack of "win now" – though it was clear they had to move on from Ramsey, who was ready to depart. And much as Steelers fans might be desperate for postseason success, the Dolphins haven't won a playoff game since 2000 − the longest drought in the league. Owner Stephen Ross gave his leadership a vote of confidence after last season's 8-9 finish but also said '(C)ontinuity in leadership is not to be confused with an acceptance that status quo is good enough. We will take a hard look at where we have fallen short and make the necessary changes to deliver our ultimate goal of building and sustaining a winning team that competes for championships." Hard to see how this trade cools the other kind of Florida heat Grier and McDaniel, who have now lost four team captains this offseason, are trying to beat. And the reaction one of their former players, RB Raheem Mostert, had to the trade speaks (to some level) on how things could unfold … Hot take: Be a Pro-bowler on the Dolphins, get treated like sh*t. Happy for my guys though! GO BALL OUT!! After the Baltimore Ravens recently signed CB Jaire Alexander, the AFC North now welcomes another elite corner with the arrival of Ramsey, a Pro Bowler in seven of his nine NFL seasons. It's certainly not the most welcome development for the division's high-profile quarterbacks. It remains to be seen how Pittsburgh's lineup shakes out, specifically as to whether Ramsey, always a fantastic ball hawk, gets a look at free safety or not. But that seems unlikely given a trade of this magnitude – and especially so since the Steelers have experienced players like Miles Killebrew and Juan Thornhill available to step into Fitzpatrick's role. And if Ramsey does remain at corner, it begs the question of what happens to recently signed Slay and Porter, a second-round pick in 2023. All of them play predominantly on the outside, Ramsey's 185 snaps in the slot last season nearly double the total of Slay, who spent 2024 in Philadelphia, and Porter combined in 2024. But is a 30-year-old star going to live in the slot, which was typically manned by Bishop, an undrafted rookie in 2024? It's a very solid bet that Ramsey will operate however he's most comfortable in 2025, and then the others fall into place as circumstances dictate – which may or not benefit them from an individual perspective. Are the Steelers suddenly a bona fide Super Bowl 60 threat? That will likely be primarily dictated by whatever version of Rodgers they're getting. But adding Ramsey and Smith also undoubtedly makes a team that's qualified for postseason four of the past five seasons more formidable. And even if Pittsburgh doesn't complete its 'Stairway to Seven' in 2025, the Steelers are starting to increasingly look like a team that could ambush one of the conference favorites – Kansas City, Buffalo, Baltimore – along the way while getting Tomlin that next playoff win he's been awaiting for nearly a decade. The presumed favorites to reacquire Ramsey's services – he played 3½ seasons in LA, starting in 2019, and was a key performer for the Super Bowl 56 champions in 2021 – a team that may have the best chance to dislodge the Eagles on the NFC side of the bracket in 2025 couldn't find a way to broker a reunion. Doesn't mean the defending NFC West titlists aren't still a clear and present danger to the reigning Super Bowl champions but sure seems like adding a familiar star like Ramsey would have nicely furthered the cause. All NFL news on and off the field. Sign up for USA TODAY's 4th and Monday newsletter.
Miami Herald
30-06-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Cote: Dolphins trading Ramsey & Smith for Fitzpatrick a net loss for Miami
The Dolphins and Steelers' midday Monday trade splashed across the front of the ESPN website with one of those red-banner 'breaking news' alerts. That was partly because Jalen Ramsey for Minkah Fitzpatrick marked the NFL's first swap in 21 years in which two players changing uniform had each been named an All-Pro at his position. But what made it even bigger, what made it national news, is that the trade conveyed Pittsburgh's unmistakable win-now intentions in continuing to surround new-old quarterback Aaron Rodgers with what he needs to succeed in likely his one and only season in the black-and-gold. Miami's intentions for this season and path to achieve them are somewhat less clear less than one month from the start of training camp -- and thrown into even more question by this trade. The Dolphins get another go-round with the safety Fitzpatrick and a 2027 fifth-round draft pick. Pittsburgh gets the cornerback Ramsey, tight end Jonnu Smith, and a '27 seventh-round pick. Fast result: Steelers win, Dolphins lose. Here's why: By the simplest math Miami gives up two starters and gets one, a lopsidedness that the Fins' slight edge in the picks swap does not make up for. The 2-for-1 part favors the Steelers by my reckoning. Ramsey and Fitzpatrick both are quality players and the latter is two years younger at 28 -- but Ramsey is the better overall of the two. Pro Football Focus rated Ramsey a top-10 NFL corner last season, albeit 10th. He led all CBs with 12 QB pressures and with four passes batted at the line. PFF ranked Fitzpatrick the league's No. 16 safety last season, but with an overall grade of 65.2 that was his lowest since 2021 and ranked 44th. The player who was the Dolphins' first-round pick in 2018 has had only one interception and six pass breakups over the past two seasons. The positive to the deal for Miami is that reacquiring Fitzpatrick instead of trading Ramsey just for draft picks demonstrates the Fins are not diving head-first into rebuild mode. Ramsey had wanted out and Miami had agreed to trade him; at least they smartly targeted the secondary for his replacement. It was including Jonnu Smith in the deal is that swivels the trade more strongly in Pittsburgh's favor. Mike Tomlin wanted Smith as a quick-outlet security blanket for the 41-year-old Rodgers. Smart idea. Trouble is, what he'll be for Rodgers is exactly what Fins QB Tua Tagovailoa will be losing, and missing. Smith, out of FIU, is coming off his best NFL season, and the first in which he made the Pro Bowl. He had a career high 88 receptions on 111 targets, a high catch-rate of nearly 80 percent, for 884 yards and eight touchdowns. You could have made an argument he was the Dolphins' MVP in that 8-9 season. No wonder he wanted a raise. Maybe Miami should have given it. Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel may consider offense-minded tight ends as interchangeable; then again, McDaniel's offensive-genius card has tarnished a bit since 2023 and is up for renewal. Also a bit troubling the Miami's offseason thus far: Ramsey is now the fourth Dolphins team captain from last season now gone, following retired Terron Armstead, departed Calais Campbell and released David Long Jr. Smith also is a veteran, a lockerroom presence. That's a curious trend for a team actively trying to change its overall culture in a positive way. Former Fins running back Raheem Mostert (now with the Raiders) took an unsubtle swipe at Miami when the trade news broke, writing on X: 'Hot take: Be a Pro-bowler on the Dolphins, get treated like s---.' I have written and said the Dolphins in 2025 must make the postseason and likely win their first playoff game since 2000 (an NFL-long drought) or major changes are in store -- including owner Stephen Ross quite probably moving on from McDaniel and general manager Chris Grier. Just this week, Mike Florio, host of NBC Sports' Pro Football Talk Live show, had McDaniel No. 1 on his coaching 'hot seat' list entering this coming season. 'It feels like the window has closed for a Dolphins team that could end up flying straight into the glass in 2025,' he wrote. That's a tad pessimistic for me, but it's true the pressure is on, and it's squarely on McDaniel and Grier. Monday's major trade, if only by the math of a negative 2-for-1 swap of key starters, did nothing to ease that pressure, that heat, as the calendar turns to July.
Scottish Sun
19-06-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Scottish Premiership star earning rave reviews at the Euro under-21 champs as he bags second goal and gets POTM award
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ABERDEEN winger Topi Keskinen rounded off a remarkable season personally by scoring in Finland's final game at the Under 21 Euro Championships and being named player of the match. Finland came from two goals down to earn a point against Denmark as they finished the competition with a flourish. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Topi Keskinen in action for Finland at the U21 Euros Credit: Getty 3 Keskinen scored in a man of the match performance against Denmark Credit: Getty 3 Keskinen helped Aberdeen lift the Scottish Cup to end 35-year wait Credit: Alamy Two commendable draws against Denmark and the Netherlands and a defeat to Ukraine saw the Fins finish bottom of their group. But Keskinen can be proud of his performances at the tournament in Slovakia after a marathon-long campaign and can now enjoy some deserved rest. The 22-year-old struck twice in three games in the competition, with his final goal coming against the Danes and his display earning him player of the match. The UEFA Technical Observer Group said: "Keskinen produced a very positive and confident performance. "And was always the player who looked the most likely to create and score for his team throughout the game, his display capped with a wonderful strike for Finland's second." It was a short free kick laid off to him, which he drilled past the goalkeeper from outside the box. After the match, Keskinen said: "It always feels good to score goals – that is my favourite part, and winning. "I know we got a draw and I am happy to score a goal especially in front of those Finland fans, who made this tournament an unbelievable experience.' It brings to an end a tremendous season, which for him actually started more than a year ago. Keskinen played several games for HJK Helsinki beginning in April 2024, before switching to Pittodrie at the start of last season in August, in a deal worth around £900,000. Moment Aberdeen new boy Keskinen pulls on OWL MASK and flaps his arms like bird of prey He would then go on to play 45 times for the Dons across all competitions, culminating in their historic Scottish Cup victory over Celtic at Hampden in May. He also won the club's Young Player of the Year. While most of Jimmy Thelin's men would have enjoyed the celebrations and time on the beach, any thoughts of switching off for Keskinen were swiftly put to one side as he prepared for the Euro championships. And he did not take long to make an impression there, scoring in their opening match against the Netherlands to give them a shock 2-0 lead. A disappointing defeat to Ukraine would follow in the second group game but Keskinen bounced back against Denmark. It was his 69th and final game in what has been a long, long season but one he will never forget. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
USA Today
17-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Patriots viewed as trade fit for Dolphins All-Pro WR Tyreek Hill
Patriots viewed as trade fit for Dolphins All-Pro WR Tyreek Hill put together a list of trades they would like to see happen in the 2025 offseason. NFL analyst and former quarterback David Carr had a very interesting trade idea that would put one of the most dynamic receivers in football on the Patriots' roster. Carr suggested that New England trade for the Miami Dolphins' five-time First-Team All-Pro wide receiver, Tyreek Hill. The 2024 season didn't live up to expectations for Hill, who played a significant chunk of the year without Tua Tagovailoa at quarterback. That led to him failing to eclipse 1,000 receiving yards for the first time since 2019. He finished the year with 81 catches for 959 yards and six touchdowns, averaging 11.8 yards per catch. He's only two years removed from a career-high season that saw him tally 119 catches for 1,799 yards and 13 touchdowns. Carr wrote: "Hill has been at the center of Dolphins headlines this offseason. It actually started when he voiced his frustrations at the end of a disappointing 2024 campaign in Miami, both for the Fins (who finished below .500 for the first time since 2019) and Hill (who missed the Pro Bowl for the first time in his nine-year career). ...New England has admirably overhauled the offense this offseason, and Hill would continue that trend by giving Josh McDaniels a guy who can elevate his attack to the next level due to his speed and field-stretching ability." Carr noted the drama off the field could be a reason for the Dolphins to part ways with Hill. The eight-time Pro Bowl wide receiver backtracked after initially expressing he was "out" in Miami earlier in the year. Hill joining the Patriots would be a major acquisition. Their main receiving corps would suddenly consist of Hill, Stefon Diggs and Demario Douglas. They'd instantly have one of the top units in the league. It would be a dream trade for the team. Of course, it's hard to envision such a trade happening with the Dolphins being the Patriots' AFC East rivals. Would they be comfortable trading Hill to another team in the division? Nothing is impossible, especially if the Dolphins feel like they're getting enough return on their investment in trade value. But sending Hill to an improving football team that they face twice every year would be quite the surprise. Follow Patriots Wire on Twitter and Facebook.
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Trade Idea Moves Dolphins' Tyreek Hill to Patriots
Trade Idea Moves Dolphins' Tyreek Hill to Patriots originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The New England Patriots are in the midst of a dramatic overhaul within their wide receiver room as they look to provide Drake Maye with more offensive weapons ahead of his sophomore campaign. Advertisement The Patriots made one of the biggest splashes of the offseason by signing All-Pro wideout and then-free agent Stefon Diggs to a three-year, $63.5 million contract. Two weeks prior to acquiring Diggs, they added another veteran presence to the team in the form of Mack Hollins. David Carr, an analyst at believes the Patriots should not stop there. He thinks the team is due for another newcomer to join the position group: Tyreek Hill, a player who will bring unprecedented speed in the slot – and almost certainly will grab headlines in the Boston area. "The Dolphins might be wary of trading within the division, but if not, the Patriots and Drake Maye certainly could use Hill's services in the passing attack," Carr wrote. "New England has admirably overhauled the offense this offseason, and Hill would continue that trend by giving Josh McDaniels a guy who can elevate his attack to the next level due to his speed and field-stretching ability." Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) on the field before the game against the New York Jets at MetLife Carchietta-Imagn Images Carr specifically sees Hill as a potential trade candidate given the volatile relationship that has developed between Hill and the Miami Dolphins organization in the past year. Advertisement "It actually started when he voiced his frustrations at the end of a disappointing 2024 campaign in Miami, both for the Fins (who finished below .500 for the first time since 2019) and Hill (who missed the Pro Bowl for the first time in his nine-year career). The star receiver publicly expressed a desire to play elsewhere, an idea the Dolphins nixed and Hill himself quickly backtracked on," Carr wrote. "However, I'm not convinced Miami will keep him, considering his off-field issues and the fact that the franchise can save nearly $15 million by moving him, per Over the Cap." Hill has already garnered a long list of achievements – five All-Pro First Team honors, eight Pro Bowl nods, six 1,000-yard seasons, and one Super Bowl championship – that place him amongst the best wide receivers of the 21st century. In nine total NFL seasons, he has 798 receptions, 11,098 receiving yards, and 82 receiving touchdowns to his name, all numbers that are expected to increase before Hill decides to hang up his cleats. Related: Trade Idea Links All-Pro Pass Rusher to Patriots This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
