Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Jalen Ramsey

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Jalen Ramsey made an impact.

Jalen Ramsey is a professional American football cornerback currently playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the NFL. He was drafted fifth overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2016 NFL Draft after playing college football at Florida State University. Ramsey is considered one of the top cornerbacks in the league.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

March 29, 2016: Participated at Florida State's pro day

On March 29, 2016, Jalen Ramsey chose to participate at Florida State's pro day, along with Roberto Aguayo, Lamarcus Brutus, Terrance Smith, and 20 other prospects. Team representatives and scouts from 31 NFL teams attended.

May 22, 2016: Signed Rookie Contract with Jaguars

On May 22, 2016, Jalen Ramsey signed a four-year, $23.35 million rookie contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars, including $22.9 million guaranteed and a $15.18 million signing bonus.

September 11, 2016: NFL Regular Season Debut

On September 11, 2016, Jalen Ramsey made his professional regular season debut and first career start for the Jacksonville Jaguars against the Green Bay Packers, recording three combined tackles in a 27-23 loss.

December 18, 2016: First Career Interception

On December 18, 2016, Jalen Ramsey recorded his first career interception off a pass thrown by Brock Osweiler to Will Fuller during a 21-20 loss at the Houston Texans. The Jaguars subsequently fired head coach Gus Bradley.

December 24, 2016: First Career Touchdown and AFC Defensive Player of the Week

On December 24, 2016, Jalen Ramsey returned an interception 30 yards for his first career touchdown against the Tennessee Titans, also earning him the American Football Conference (AFC) Defensive Player of the Week award.

2016: NFL Draft Entry

After his junior year, Jalen Ramsey announced his intention to forgo his senior season and enter the 2016 NFL draft.

2016: Drafted by Jacksonville Jaguars

In 2016, Jalen Ramsey was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars fifth overall in the NFL draft after playing college football for the Florida State Seminoles.

December 19, 2017: First Pro Bowl Selection

On December 19, 2017, Jalen Ramsey was named to his first Pro Bowl as a starter.

2017: Pro Bowl and All-Pro Selection

In 2017, Jalen Ramsey made the Pro Bowl and was named an All-Pro while playing for the Jacksonville Jaguars. He also helped the team end a 10-year playoff drought.

January 7, 2018: First Career Postseason Game

On January 7, 2018, Jalen Ramsey started in his first career postseason game and intercepted a pass against the Buffalo Bills in a 10-3 Wild Card Round victory.

April 25, 2019: Fifth-Year Option Exercised

On April 25, 2019, the Jacksonville Jaguars exercised the fifth-year option on Jalen Ramsey's rookie contract, guaranteeing him $13.73 million for one year.

October 15, 2019: Traded to the Los Angeles Rams

On October 15, 2019, Jalen Ramsey was traded from the Jacksonville Jaguars to the Los Angeles Rams for draft picks.

December 21, 2019: First Interception as a Ram

On December 21, 2019, Jalen Ramsey recorded his first interception as a member of the Los Angeles Rams in a game against the San Francisco 49ers.

2019: Traded to Los Angeles Rams

Midway through the 2019 season, Jalen Ramsey was traded to the Los Angeles Rams following a fallout with the Jacksonville Jaguars' front office.

January 16, 2020: Rams Hire Brandon Staley as Defensive Coordinator

On January 16, 2020, the Los Angeles Rams hired Brandon Staley as their new defensive coordinator, who retained Ramsey as a starting cornerback.

September 9, 2020: Signed Contract Extension with Rams

On September 9, 2020, Jalen Ramsey signed a five-year, $100 million contract extension with the Los Angeles Rams, making him the highest-paid defensive back in NFL history at the time.

September 13, 2020: Rams vs Cowboys

On September 13, 2020, Jalen Ramsey started in the Los Angeles Rams' home-opener against the Dallas Cowboys. He achieved a season-high of six solo tackles and one pass deflection during their 20–17 victory.

October 26, 2020: Ramsey Intercepts Pass Against Bears

On October 26, 2020, Jalen Ramsey had four solo tackles, one pass deflection, and his only interception of the season on a pass by Nick Foles intended for Jimmy Graham during a 24–10 win against the Chicago Bears.

2020: Highest-Paid Defensive Back

In 2020, Jalen Ramsey agreed to a contract extension with the Los Angeles Rams that made him the highest-paid defensive back in NFL history at the time.

2020: Draft Pick Used on K'Lavon Chaisson

In 2020, the Jacksonville Jaguars used the first-round pick acquired from the Los Angeles Rams in the Jalen Ramsey trade on K'Lavon Chaisson.

June 13, 2021: Ramsey Changes Jersey Number

On June 13, 2021, Jalen Ramsey announced during the Rams minicamp that he would change his number to No. 5, following the new NFL jersey number rule, and entered training camp as the de facto No. 1 starting cornerback.

September 12, 2021: Rams vs Bears

On September 12, 2021, Jalen Ramsey started in the Los Angeles Rams' home-opener against the Chicago Bears and racked up a season-high nine combined tackles and broke up a pass during a 34–14 victory.

2021: Draft Pick Used on Travis Etienne

In 2021, the Jacksonville Jaguars used the first-round pick acquired from the Los Angeles Rams in the Jalen Ramsey trade on Travis Etienne.

February 13, 2022: Rams Win Super Bowl LVI

On February 13, 2022, Jalen Ramsey started in Super Bowl LVI and recorded four combined tackles and one pass deflection as the Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals in a 23–20 comeback, earning Ramsey his first career Super Bowl ring.

December 25, 2022: Ramsey Intercepts Pass Against Broncos

On December 25, 2022, Jalen Ramsey made five combined tackles, a season-high three pass deflections, and intercepted a pass thrown by Russell Wilson to Greg Dulcich as the Rams defeated the Denver Broncos 51–14.

January 8, 2023: Ramsey Sets Season-High with Two Interceptions

On January 8, 2023, Jalen Ramsey made five solo tackles, tied his season-high of three pass deflections, and set a season-high with two interceptions off pass attempts thrown by Geno Smith during a 19-16 overtime loss at the Seattle Seahawks.

March 15, 2023: Ramsey Traded to Miami Dolphins

On March 15, 2023, Jalen Ramsey was traded to the Miami Dolphins from the Los Angeles Rams for Hunter Long and a 2023 third-round pick.

October 28, 2023: Ramsey Activated from Injured Reserve

On October 28, 2023, the Miami Dolphins activated Jalen Ramsey from injured reserve and added him to their active roster, slotting him into the No. 1 starting cornerback position.

October 29, 2023: Ramsey's Miami Dolphins Debut

On October 29, 2023, Jalen Ramsey made his Miami Dolphins' debut, recording one solo tackle, a pass deflection, and intercepting a pass by Mac Jones to Kendrick Bourne during a 31–17 win against the New England Patriots.

2023: Traded to the Dolphins

During the 2023 offseason, Jalen Ramsey was traded to the Miami Dolphins.

September 6, 2024: Ramsey Signs Contract Extension with Dolphins

On September 6, 2024, the Miami Dolphins signed Jalen Ramsey to a three-year, $72.3 million contract extension, including $24.23 million guaranteed upon signing, making him the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL.

April 15, 2025: Dolphins to Seek Trade Partners for Ramsey

On April 15, 2025, the Miami Dolphins announced that they would be seeking potential trade partners for Jalen Ramsey after mutually agreeing to part ways.

June 30, 2025: Ramsey Traded to Pittsburgh Steelers

On June 30, 2025, Jalen Ramsey, along with Jonnu Smith and a 2027 seventh-round pick, was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for Minkah Fitzpatrick and a 2027 fifth-round pick. The trade included a $1.5 million raise for Ramsey, bringing his expected earning to $26.6 million in 2025.

2025: Traded to the Steelers

During the 2025 offseason, Jalen Ramsey was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

2027: Trade Involving Seventh and Fifth Round Picks

In 2027, a seventh-round pick was traded alongside Jalen Ramsey and Jonnu Smith to the Pittsburgh Steelers. In exchange, the Dolphins received Minkah Fitzpatrick and a fifth-round pick in 2027.