49ers dodged a Jalen Ramsey nightmare thanks to blockbuster AFC trade

Indeed, the Miami Dolphins finally agreed to part ways with All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey.

The San Francisco 49ers, who likely weren't in on the Ramsey sweepstakes, probably just wanted to see him land anywhere else but the NFC West, specifically with the Los Angeles Rams, who were rumored to be among the corner's preferred destinations after previously having played there.

Well, L.A. won't be onboarding Ramsey after all after Miami agreed to a blockbuster trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers that also included sending out tight end Jonnu Smith and a 2027 seventh-round draft pick in exchange for All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and a 2027 Round 5 pick, as broken down by NFL Network's Tom Pelissero:

The Niners can breathe a sigh of relief.

Granted, Ramsey wouldn't have fully tipped the balance in the NFC West in Los Angeles' favor, had he been traded there. But, if one assumes the Rams are the top threat to San Francisco's aspirations to reclaim the division crown, a still-dynamic defensive back beefing up a rival's secondary is the last thing the 49ers would want.

The Niners play neither the Steelers nor Dolphins this season, meaning the only way San Francisco would face Ramsey at some point this year would be if he's traded again or if the 49ers and Steelers somehow meet up in the Super Bowl.

Judging by the nature of the trade, it sure seems as if Pittsburgh is all-in on that idea.

Ramsey previously spent four years in L.A. and earned two of his three first-team All-Pro nods playing under head coach Sean McVay, ultimately winning his first Super Bowl ring there. Despite being on the wrong side of 30 years old, the veteran defensive back is still capable of playing at a high level.

The Niners have to be happy that high level is going to be far away from the NFC West, though.

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