The Miami Dolphins have sent seven-time Pro Bowl cornerback Jalen Ramsey and tight end Jonnu Smith to the Pittsburgh Steelers, along with a 2027 seventh-round pick, in exchange for safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and a 2025 fifth-round selection. The deal, completed on 30 June 2025, dismantles a key part of Miami’s defense and removes a pass-catching option that recorded 88 receptions, 884 yards and eight touchdowns last season. The trade has triggered an unusually sharp backlash from current and former players. Former Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert, who made the Pro Bowl in 2023 before being released in February, said the club treats its Pro Bowl talent poorly and congratulated Ramsey and Smith for escaping the situation. Further criticism came from two-time Super Bowl champion Asante Samuel Sr. He used his “Say What Needs To Be Said” podcast to accuse head coach Mike McDaniel and general manager Chris Grier of running the franchise like “a little league team,” claiming there is “no leadership” in Miami. The remarks landed just as reports surfaced that the Dolphins had contacted Samuel’s son, free-agent cornerback Asante Samuel Jr., who is recovering from April neck surgery, about filling the vacancy created by Ramsey’s exit. Samuel Sr.’s comments could complicate Miami’s efforts to shore up a secondary now missing its most accomplished player. Whether the younger Samuel—or any other top cornerback on the market—signs with the Dolphins may hinge on the organization’s ability to counter the growing perception of instability inside the front office.