After Just 10-Games, Dolphins Make Jalen Ramsey Highest Paid NFL Cornerback

The Dolphins have made Jalen Ramsey the highest-paid cornerback in football for the second time in his career. 

Jalen Ramsey and the Miami Dolphins have agreed to a three-year contract extension worth $24.1 million per year, making him the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history for the second time, according to sources. This new deal guarantees Ramsey $55.3 million starting this season, securing his position as the cornerback with the highest career earnings in league history.

The #Dolphins and All-Pro CB Jalen Ramsey have agreed on another huge extension, this time a 3-year, $72.3M deal to make him the highest paid CB in the NFL again(!), per me and @CameronWolfe.

The $24.1M per year deal was negotiated by @DavidMulugheta of @AthletesFirst. pic.twitter.com/nrmYQYpBDM

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 6, 2024

Despite having played only ten games for Miami, the star cornerback receives a significant pay raise ahead of his second season with the team. ESPN first reported on Friday that Ramsey agreed to the lucrative extension. CBS Sports confirmed the deal is worth $72.3 million annually, averaging $24.1 million.

Ramsey Gets Paid Again

The 29-year-old Jalen Ramsey previously signed a five-year, $100 million extension with the Los Angeles Rams, followed by a three-year, $55 million deal with the Miami Dolphins when he joined the team. Despite missing seven games in 2023 due to a torn meniscus in his Dolphins debut, Ramsey remains one of the top cornerbacks in the NFL. Ramsey, a seven-time Pro Bowler, recorded three interceptions in his shortened first season with Miami.

Acquired via trade last offseason, Ramsey had spent three and a half seasons with the Rams, where he played a key role in helping Los Angeles win Super Bowl LVI in 2021. The former first-round pick out of Florida State began his NFL career with the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he quickly established himself as one of the league’s elite defenders.

Jalen Ramsey finished last season with three interceptions and five passes defended in his shortened stint with the Dolphins. His presence had a noticeable impact on Miami’s defense. Before Week 8, the Dolphins ranked 27th in the NFL in opposing quarterbacks’ passer rating (100.2). After Ramsey entered the lineup, Miami’s defense improved, allowing a passer rating of just 87.7, which elevated them to 15th in the league.

Jalen Ramsey in single coverage last season including the playoffs:

🔒 43.5% completion rate allowed
🔒 1 interception
🔒 3 forced incompletions
🔒 60.1 passer rating allowed

The new highest-paid CB in NFL history 💰 pic.twitter.com/k3iKJoOzr5

— PFF MIA Dolphins (@PFF_Dolphins) September 6, 2024

Ramsey Passes Patrick Surtain II

The agreement comes shortly after Denver Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II signed his own substantial extension, which briefly made him the highest-paid defensive back in NFL history. This marks the second time Ramsey has ascended to the top-paid spot among cornerbacks, as noted by ESPN.

Negotiations between the Dolphins and Ramsey have been ongoing for several weeks. The two parties were able to set a new standard in the cornerback market after Surtain reset it with his $24 million per year extension with Denver on Wednesday. Although Ramsey is currently dealing with a calf injury, new Miami defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver expressed optimism on Thursday, stating he is “hopeful” that Ramsey will be ready to play in the team’s opener at home against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.