All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey and the Miami Dolphins have reached an agreement on a three-year, $72.3 million contract extension, according to a source who spoke to The Associated Press on Friday.
The source requested anonymity because the team had not yet announced the deal.
NFL Network was the first to report that Ramsey will earn $24.1 million per year with this new contract, making him the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL. This agreement comes shortly after the Denver Broncos signed their standout cornerback Patrick Surtain II to a four-year extension.
Surtain’s $24 million average annual salary had previously made him the highest-paid defensive back, surpassing Tampa Bay safety Antoine Winfield Jr. ($21.025 million) and Green Bay cornerback Jaire Alexander ($21 million). Ramsey’s new deal makes him the highest-paid defensive back in the NFL again.
The Dolphins acquired Ramsey in a trade with the Los Angeles Rams last offseason. He injured his knee early in his first training camp with Miami and missed the first half of the 2023 season due to surgery for a torn meniscus in his left knee.
He came back to play 10 games, recording three interceptions, five pass breakups, and 22 tackles.
Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver has called Ramsey the “ultimate chess piece” who can be moved around the field to enhance his impact, a testament to his abilities since being drafted fifth overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2016.
Ramsey’s career stats include 474 tackles, 22 interceptions, six forced fumbles, and 97 pass breakups.
Coach Mike McDaniel confirmed Ramsey’s extension on Friday, noting that the seven-time Pro Bowler quickly took on a leadership role when he joined the Dolphins. This leadership has been beneficial to the team, even when Ramsey is not playing.
“The real leaders and real influencers on a football team don’t have to play to positively affect their teammates,” McDaniel said.
Ramsey had not practiced for several weeks and was listed with a hamstring injury this week, raising concerns about his availability for Miami’s season opener against Jacksonville.
Weaver mentioned on Thursday that he hopes Ramsey will be ready for Sunday, but with another game coming up on Thursday night against the Buffalo Bills, the team has to be cautious.
“He’s doing everything he can in the training room to try to be ready,” Weaver said. “We just need to be smart and aware that we have two games in a little over a week, so we’ll see.”
Ramsey joined several Miami players who signed contract extensions this offseason, such as receiver Jaylen Waddle and running back Raheem Mostert.
Star receiver Tyreek Hill also agreed to a restructured contract that increased his total guaranteed money over four years to $106.5 million.
Additionally, the Dolphins made quarterback Tua Tagovailoa their highest-paid player with a four-year contract extension worth $212.4 million in July.
The Dolphins also extended coach Mike McDaniel’s contract through the 2028 season last month, hoping he will lead the team to its first playoff win in 24 years.
Ramsey, who won a Super Bowl with the Rams after the 2021 season, was named a team captain for the 2024 season along with Tagovailoa, Hill, and veteran defensive tackle Calais Campbell.
“Elite players, there’s several of them in the league that have that captain mentality,” McDaniel said. “And when you have that captain mentality and are a competitor that wants to dictate the terms, you have a rise in everyone’s competitiveness. And that’s a win for the Miami Dolphins.”
