The Miami Dolphins and cornerback Jalen Ramsey have agreed to look for a potential trade this offseason, seemingly ending a two-year South Florida stint for the nine-year veteran. According to rumors, Ramsey has lost faith in the Dolphins’ coaching staff and wants to move on. Miami, despite needing help across the secondary this offseason, seem to agree it is time for the seven-time Pro Bowl player to head elsewhere.

The NFL Draft would have seemed an ideal setting for a trade to occur, giving the Dolphins additional options in the three-day college prospect selection process. No trade materialized, however, and Ramsey remains with Miami.

During the draft weekend, Dolphins general manager Chris Grier mentioned a potential Ramsey trade, stating, “We’ve had conversations through the weekend with some teams about it as well, so depending on what happens and if and when it’ll happen; whatever it is, we’ll make the deal at the appropriate time.”

That appropriate time was not during the draft itself.

Why has a deal not been made already? The major factor may be money.

Ramsey is set to account for $16.7 million against the Dolphins’ salary cap this season, the third-largest number for the team. If he were traded before June 1, that number would jump to $29.2 million, with Miami losing over half its available salary cap space with an $12.6 million increase. If the trade happens on June 2 or later, the Dolphins would be on the hook for $6.7 million this year. The post-June 1 trade would create over $18 million in dead money next year, but Miami needs to have the flexibility to add to the roster this year, likely including adding a veteran replacement for Ramsey, that may force the Dolphins to keep the former first-round pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars for at least another month.

Grier indicated the money was not a factor in when a trade could be made as he answered a question, bringing up the June 1 ramifications. “No, I think we’re open to everything,” he answered. “We’ve been having conversations with teams but we’re open to whenever the right opportunity comes for us and the organization.”

The money could also factor into teams who are willing to acquire Ramsey. The Dolphins signed Ramsey to a three-year extension in September, including three void years with a $12.4 million cap hit in 2029. A new team would be taking on a giant contract and would have to make sure they have the salary cap space throughout the life of the contract.

The Los Angeles Rams have emerged as a potential trade partner for the Dolphins, sending Ramsey back to LA just over two years after the Rams traded him to Miami. In that deal, the Dolphins sent Los Angeles a third-round draft pick and tight end Hunter Long. Could Miami see a return of a third-round pick two years later or has Ramsey’s value slid?

Rams head coach Sean McVay recently appeared on SiriusXM’s Mad Dog Sports Radio and spoke to Adam Schein about the possibility of a trade for Ramsey, via Rams Wire. “There’s not too much of an update. He is a total stud, and you look at, obviously he has continued to play at a really high level. He and I have kept in great touch even since we ended up trading him to Miami. Special competitor, great person, great father.”

McVay continued, turning to the possibility of a deal, explaining, “There are a lot of layers when you’re talking about a player of his caliber. ‘All right, with regards to the contract, the compensation that they would be looking for in exchange for receiving a player of his magnitude.’ And so those conversations are ongoing, as I’m sure they are with multiple teams. And we’ll see, but we’re never going to shy away from opportunities to increase the competitiveness of our roster or add great players as long as it fits within the framework of everything that an acquisition like that would entail.”

Grier was asked about the possibility of the Dolphins working to reconcile with Ramsey, trying to find a way to keep him on the roster this year. He replied, “I would just say we never close any doors on anything, but we’re just going to focus on the Miami Dolphins here right now, and the draft, and the players that we’re adding to the team right now.”

This is complete speculation, but could the Dolphins have asked Ramsey to move to safety as the replacement for Jevon Holland this year, leading to Ramsey’s “falling out” with head coach Mike McDaniel and the team? There has not been anything that indicates that is the situation, but could make sense. Ramsey wants to play for a contender this late in his career, and if he feels Miami is not one this year, that could be why he is trying to force his way out of South Florida.

It feels like the Dolphins and Ramsey are destined to part ways this summer – but it might not be until sometime in June when a trade gets completed. The Dolphins do not seem to be in a rush to cover additional money in the contract, and they are willing to wait to see what materializes as training camp approaches.

For now, Ramsey remains with the Dolphins, rumors continue to swirl, and everyone seems willing to sit back and wait.