In a major NFL development, the Pittsburgh Steelers secured cornerback Jalen Ramsey, tight end Jonnu Smith, and a 2027 seventh-round draft selection from the Miami Dolphins in exchange for Pro Bowl safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and a 2027 fifth-round pick. This high-profile Steelers and Dolphins trade rapidly sparked debate about its value and long-term consequences for both franchises.
Steelers and Dolphins Trade: Key Details and Context
The Steelers’ decision to send Minkah Fitzpatrick and a draft pick to Miami raised eyebrows across the league. In return, Pittsburgh bolstered its secondary with Jalen Ramsey—still regarded as one of the NFL’s elite cornerbacks when healthy—and added Jonnu Smith, a versatile tight end. Despite the significant cost, many analysts believe the Steelers’ move signals a push to contend immediately, as opposed to stockpiling assets for future seasons.
Madden NFL 25 Simulation: Exploring Trade Scenarios for Minkah Fitzpatrick
To assess the realism of the Steelers and Dolphins’ blockbuster deal, a simulation was conducted using Madden NFL 25 franchise mode. Minkah Fitzpatrick and a 2027 fifth-round pick were placed on the trading block, prompting offers from seven NFL teams: the Cleveland Browns, San Francisco 49ers, Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Jets, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Rams, and Seattle Seahawks.
Comparing Madden NFL 25 Trade Offers for Minkah Fitzpatrick
The simulated trade proposals did not mirror the blockbuster nature of Pittsburgh and Miami’s real-life exchange. The San Francisco 49ers offered cornerback Renardo Green, a 2026 second-round pick, and a 2026 fifth-round pick—an intriguing package if Green were to develop quickly. The Cleveland Browns proposed sending tight end David Njoku plus late draft assets, and similar combinations surfaced from other franchises.
Of particular note were the deals from the New York Jets, Los Angeles Rams, and Seattle Seahawks. The Jets put forward wide receiver Garrett Wilson alongside mid-round draft selections. The Rams offered receiver Puka Nacua, a 2025 fourth-round pick, and a 2027 seventh-rounder. Meanwhile, the Seahawks proposed young wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba plus a 2027 sixth-round pick.
Steelers’ Offense Strengthened in Madden Simulation With Rams’ Trade
The simulated Steelers management accepted the Rams’ offer centered around Puka Nacua, seeking to address the team’s lack of receiving options outside recent acquisition D.K. Metcalf. This choice was also supported by prior Madden franchise mode tests, which indicated the need to upgrade the wide receiver corps for new quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Simulated Season Performance After the Steelers and Dolphins Trade
The decision appeared justified as Pittsburgh finished the regular season at 12-5 under Rodgers’ guidance. The veteran quarterback threw for nearly 3,700 yards, with a 68% completion rate and a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 33-to-12. In the passing game, Puka Nacua quickly emerged as a top target, surpassing the 1,000-yard mark with 10 touchdowns, outperforming D.K. Metcalf, who had 986 yards and 9 touchdowns despite more receptions.
The running game lagged, as starter Jaylen Warren managed just 753 yards at a 3.8-yard average, but rookie Kaleb Johnson contributed 10 touchdowns, proving effective near the goal line. Defensively, despite the loss of Fitzpatrick, Pittsburgh ranked 8th in points allowed (391 on the season) and remained top-three in both interceptions and sacks, though pass defense was less robust compared to their run-stopping performance.
Steelers and Dolphins Trade Impact: Playoff Results and Outlook
The postseason did not deliver the breakthrough Steelers fans hoped for. In the AFC Wild Card round, Pittsburgh suffered a narrow 30-28 defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs, extending coach Mike Tomlin’s playoff win drought since 2017. However, the simulation illustrated that the Steelers’ major trade—including Ramsey, Smith, and simulated upgrades like Nacua—strengthened the squad both defensively and offensively, while their regular-season performance showed tangible improvement compared to previous campaigns.