What does losing Ramsey do to Dolphins’ defense? Anthony Weaver provides thoughts

The Miami Dolphins are heading into the final phase of the 2025 offseason training program, with organized team activities and the mandatory minicamp starting to show up on the calendar. As the on-field preparation continues to progress, another key date is quickly approaching for off-field moves.

Cornerback Jalen Ramsey is guaranteed $24.2 million this season, with $4 million already paid as a roster bonus. He is scheduled to account for $16.7 million against the salary cap this season. But, when it comes to off-field considerations, Ramsey also wants to be traded. And that is where the calendar comes back into play.

The NFL has a June 1 consideration every year. If a player is released or traded on June 1 or before, any salary cap deferred money is accelerated into the current year’s cap. For Ramsey, that would include an additional $32.8 million acceleration into the 2025 cap for Miami. Any move after June 1, the accelerated money is moved into the next year’s cap, which frees money for use this year. For Ramsey, if he is traded on June 2 or later, the Dolphins would see about a $10 million cap savings for this year as his number drops to $6.7 million. The team will have to account for the remaining guaranteed money in 2026, but for cap management purposes, any trade of Ramsey was always going to have to occur on or after June 2.

As that date gets closer, Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver was asked this week about the team’s plans for replacing Ramsey, his reaction to the sides heading toward a divorce, and what impact it has on his defensive scheme.

“I’ve got to be honest; I’ve been in this league too long that anything I hear at this point, I have very little reaction to it – other than COVID; that one I had a little bit of a reaction to,” Weaver said when asked about his reaction when the news broke of Ramsey wanting to leave and the Dolphins being willing to make the move. “But this game, things change by the day. I have a tremendous amount of respect for Ramsey, he played very good ball for us, but shoot, relationships are hard. Both mutually have chosen to go other ways, and I respect that and I wish him nothing but the best moving forward.”

Sounding like he already considers Ramsey as a former player for him, Weaver commented on how the Dolphins can replace Ramsey’s production and who might be on the field come Week 1. “I think first and foremost, those guys, they’ve been here from Day 1 (of the offseason training program) and you can see the confidence that grows in them by day. Artie (Burns) has been a tremendous leader, obviously Kader (Kohou). There’s leaders in the backend with Iffy Melifonwu and Ashtyn Davis, Elijah Campbell, but all those corners – one, they all have a chip and they want to prove themselves. There’s no greater motivator than that as a coach, because you know every time they attack that field, they’re going to attack it with purpose and intention, which ultimately they’re going to get better. In this portion of the offseason, it’s the only time you can invest this much time in individual technique and fundamentals, so I’m just so proud of how those guys have attacked that. I also think we’re going to be strong up front. If by God’s grace we’re fortunate that Jaelan Phillips can stay on the field, Bradley Chubb, Chop (Robinson) coming into Year 2, the additions we made on the defensive line and Zach Sieler, obviously, I think we can help them too by being more disruptive and creating more chaos for the quarterback.”

As for the impact of Ramsey’s departure on the scheme Weaver will use this year, the coach explained, “I’m fine with it, that’s the league. The one thing I know is whether it’s through injury during the season or what’s happening here with us with Jalen (Ramsey), I’m not getting any sympathy cards from anybody. It’s my job and our job collectively as a staff to find a way to make these pieces work, and what I know is every player that is here is trying to get better and they’ve bought in. So just really pleased with where we’re at at this point.”

The Dolphins are believed to be talking to “multiple teams” about a trade for Ramsey, including a possible return to the Los Angeles Rams, as well as a potential bidding war between NFC East rivals as the Washington Commanders and Dallas Cowboys are believed to be interested. Miami sent the Rams tight end Hunter Long and a third-round pick for Ramsey in 2023. Will they be able to get back at least that third-round pick this year? Will multiple teams being involved increase the price someone is willing to pay to acquire a seven-time Pro-Bowl player?

Whatever happens over the next couple of weeks, Weaver seems ready to put together a defensive system that plays to the strength of the players on the roster. Miami could still look to make other moves, acquiring free agent players to bolster the roster, but Weaver seems to be ready to move on without Ramsey.