The Miami Dolphins raised many eyebrows around the NFL on Tuesday morning when news broke that they were collaborating with cornerback Jalen Ramsey’s representation to find a trade partner for the star cornerback just one offseason after extending him. This decision is not due to a trade request from Ramsey, as clarified by Dolphins manager Chris Grier, but rather it is seen as the best move for both Ramsey and the team.
“I will say, these decisions aren’t done quickly and they’re not taken lightly because we’ve spent a lot of time this offseason working through this, talking through things,” Grier said, per Pro Football Talk. He added, “At the end of the day, Jalen did not ask for a trade. After numerous conversations, including discussions last week with Jalen and his agent, we felt it was best to move forward, which is in the best interest of both the Miami Dolphins and Jalen Ramsey.”
While some speculate that this move indicates the Dolphins, who failed to reach the playoffs last year, are preparing for a rebuild, Grier insists that the team remains focused on competitiveness. “We have many good football players on this roster who impact games, so that word (rebuild) has not been used at all. Our goal is to win this year and to continue achieving sustained success in the future.”
Grier acknowledged feeling pressure to win this season, but he asserts that this pressure is nothing new in the league. “I feel pressure every year to win,” Grier remarked. “If you don’t feel that pressure and want to win each year, then we’re in the wrong business. We know what the stakes are. We reached the playoffs two years in a row, which people appreciated, then last year we struggled early and couldn’t recover, leading to demands for change. You understand the dynamics and feel the pressure, but it should not drive your decisions. You must focus on doing your job to the best of your ability and work under pressure to make good, smart decisions for the Miami Dolphins.”
