Dolphins’ Mike McDaniel gets brutally candid about lingering Jalen Ramsey trade drama

Shane Shoemaker

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Dolphins’ Mike McDaniel gets brutally candid about lingering Jalen Ramsey trade drama image

The situation surrounding Jalen Ramsey and his uncertain future appears to be taking a toll on Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel.

Ramsey, who has essentially been on the trade block all offseason, has yet to find a new destination. He also will not be attending the Dolphins’ mandatory minicamp this week, though his absence is considered excused, per NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe.

“He is not here,” McDaniel told reporters Tuesday. “We are focused on building the Dolphins today. Anything outside of that... any sort of distractions, I’m not focused on.”

In a follow-up question, McDaniel was asked if he was surprised that a resolution with Ramsey hasn’t happened yet.

“Personally—I don’t give a s--- about what I feel,” McDaniel said. “I don’t even really go down that road of how I feel about it. My job is to react and control my controllables and make sure that people are moving in one direction appropriately. Business is business.”

It was a candid response from McDaniel, who appeared slightly disgruntled by what has already been a turbulent Dolphins offseason.

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In addition to the likely Ramsey trade, tight end Jonnu Smith could also be on his way out. Smith is also absent from minicamp, but unlike Ramsey, his absence is unexcused and could result in fines up to $100,000.

Smith recently made it clear he wants a new contract after producing career-high numbers last season: 88 receptions, 884 yards and eight touchdowns. He signed a two-year, $8.4 million deal with Miami in March 2024, and will earn $4.6 million in 2025, per Spotrac.

Then there’s the ongoing saga with Tyreek Hill. The star wideout has been disgruntled with the organization since the final regular-season game last year. However, Hill did show up to the team’s OTAs looking leaner and expressing a desire to mend fences after months of tension.

For McDaniel—who could very well be entering the season on the hot seat—any positive momentum is welcome right now.

Shane Shoemaker

Shane Shoemaker began his career as an editorial writer for ClutchPoints, covering college football, the NFL and MLB. His love for sports took off at age 5, when his dad began taking him all over the country to watch the Atlanta Braves and later, the Miami Hurricanes football team — fueling his passion for experiencing new stadiums. Although a lifelong Tennessean, he remains unaffiliated with local teams, even after writing for Vols Wire. Shane holds a BA in Communications/Journalism from the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga and never misses a chance to mention the Atlanta Braves’ 2021 World Series win.