The Los Angeles Chargers enter the 2025 offseason with a solid cornerback group and financial flexibility that few NFL teams can match. But that hasn’t stopped speculation that the team could make an aggressive push to acquire All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey from the Miami Dolphins. And based on both roster dynamics and cap realities, it may not be as far-fetched as it seems.
While the Chargers opted not to bring back Asante Samuel Jr. and saw Kristian Fulton depart in free agency, they addressed the position by signing veteran Donte Jackson and adding Benjamin St-Juste. Rookie Tarheeb Still also flashed promise in limited action. On paper, the group looks serviceable. But as the AFC West loads up on elite quarterback play, even a deep secondary may not be deep enough.
That’s where Ramsey enters the conversation. Miami has publicly acknowledged it’s open to moving the 30-year-old cornerback, and while his $21.1 million salary in 2025 is steep, the Chargers are one of the few teams positioned to absorb it. They currently project to have close to $30 million in cap space this year—and a league-high $118 million in 2026.
Should the Los Angeles Chargers Make a Move for Jalen Ramsey? Here’s the Case for a Bold but Logical Trade
“Ramsey would raise the defensive ceiling for a team that could easily become a true contender,” ESPN’s Seth Walder noted. Even a minor deal—like a late-round pick swap—could be enough if Miami simply wants off Ramsey’s contract.
Seth Walder’s offer:
- Dolphins get: 2027 seventh-round pick
- Chargers get: Ramsey, 2027 sixth-round pick
Other proposals, like Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton suggestion of a 2025 third-rounder, may better reflect Ramsey’s still-strong 2024 production: 11 pass breakups, two interceptions, and an 83.2 passer rating allowed in coverage.
Beyond coverage ability, Ramsey offers elite versatility. He can play outside, in the slot, or even transition to safety—a potential long-term fit next to Derwin James and behind a dynamic defensive front. For defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, that flexibility could be transformational.
Ultimately, trading for Ramsey wouldn’t be a need—it would be a luxury. But in a conference stacked with offensive firepower and postseason expectations rising, it could be the kind of forward-thinking move that vaults the Chargers into serious Super Bowl contention.
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