Without naming names, Steelers cornerback Jalen Ramsey instead pointed fingers while discussing the reasons he asked the Miami Dolphins for a trade in the offseason.

Ramsey was dealt to Pittsburgh in a swap that sent Minkah Fitzpatrick back to Miami and told The Pivot podcast he was appreciative of the front office for “working with me” and agent David Mulugheta.

Still, the 30-year-old made clear he wanted to be traded for the third time since the Jaguars selected him No. 5 overall in 2016.

Without saying the name of Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel, Ramsey implied coaching and culture were key factors.

“Let’s go to a team that’s going to be able to compete, where there’s a lot of respect for the head coach and the staff and a place I can continue to play at a high level … and maybe be versatile,” Ramsey said in the interview.

“We all had to come to a consensus on what it would be. The Steelers wanted me here, and I wanted to be here.”

Ramsey, acquired by the Dolphins from the Los Angeles Rams in March of 2023, said he was thankful Miami didn’t take the approach of presenting him with a deal he didn’t want by saying, “this team called and we are going to send you there. It was very open communication. You all have been good to us. I’ve been good to y’all.”

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has heaped praise on Ramsey for his effort and versatility, and former Pittsburgh defensive back Ryan Clark gushed about the pairing with visions of a defensive scheme capable of using Ramsey at four or five different positions in a game.

Ramsey said he finds himself wondering what his NFL life might have been like had the Steelers drafted him.

“My focus may have been a little bit different at times. I may have been here my whole career,” Ramsey told The Pivot. “This is like a place where I feel like, one, they take care of their own. I truly believe that they take care of their own. Two, guys really want to be here.”

–Field Level Media