Despite signing Nate Hobbs in free agency, the Green Bay Packers still lack starting-caliber talent and depth in the secondary - a weakness exposed when Jaire Alexander re-aggravated his PCL injury in Week 11 against the Chicago Bears.
General Manager Brian Gutekunst should explore all available options to improve his defensive backfield, including inquiring about current NFL players. High-profile players are not often available on the market. However, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Tuesday that the Miami Dolphins and star cornerback Jalen Ramsey will explore a potential trade this offseason.
While Ramsey has been one of the NFL's premier cornerbacks over the past decade, there's little logic behind the Packers making a move to trade for him.
Over The Cap published an article examining the possibility of the Dolphins moving on from Jalen Ramsey and the significant financial burden his contract would place on any team that acquires him. While Green Bay could find a way to fit his contract into the cap, it would compromise the roster's long-term stability.
"For a team acquiring Ramsey they would be on the hook for a virtually guaranteed $21 million for 2025, which would be the 7th highest salary in the NFL for a corner. The team would have the option to take on all of the cap charge this year or to maintain the option that exists in the contract with the Dolphins and take on a $5.826 million cap charge for this season. Ramsey has a $5 million injury guarantee on his $21 million salary in 2026 which would become fully guaranteed along with a $2 million roster bonus on the 3rd day of the 2026 league year. He has a non guaranteed $21.7 salary million for 2027, and $24 million for 2028."
The Packers could exercise the same option built into Ramsey's contract with Miami, taking on a smaller $5.826 million cap hit in 2025 and pushing the rest into future years. However, that offers little relief given the key free-agent decisions coming in 2026 - along with potential early extensions for 2027 free agents like Tucker Kraft and Jayden Reed.
Zach Tom and Rasheed Walker are slated to become unrestricted free agents next year, and Green Bay will likely re-sign at least one of them. Both are key figures on the offensive line and should command top tackle money. Moreover, Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs are on a similar trajectory, with their contracts also nearing expiration. On defense, Quay Walker and Devonte Wyatt are starters approaching the final years of their contracts.
The Packers need to make important roster decisions soon. However, they will have limited cap flexibility heading in 2026. While Jalen Ramsey has missed just seven games over the past four seasons, he will turn 31 this year. The key question is: How much longer can he perform at a high level? Is it worth betting on his ability to maintain elite play for at least two more years, or should Green Bay focus on ensuring long-term stability across the roster?
Jalen Ramsey is a talented cornerback who could elevate Green Bay's secondary. However, his contract would strain the team's finances. Given the Packers' cap situation and focus on both present and future roster stability, Brian Gutekunst should pass on a trade for Ramsey.
