Jalen Ramsey

Jalen Ramsey Unlikely To Play This Week

The saga continues. Cornerback Jalen Ramsey is expected to report to the Jaguars’ facility on Wednesday, but he says he’s not quite at 100%, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter) hears. Ramsey has been receiving treatment for hamstring and lower back ailments and it doesn’t sound as though he’ll be suiting up to face the Broncos on Sunday afternoon. 

[RELATED: Cardinals’ GM: “We’re Not Trading Patrick Peterson”]

Earlier this week, Ramsey called in sick with the flu, just days after a reported blowup with coach Doug Marrone that might have soured their relationship for good. Jags owner Shad Khan reportedly is willing to make Ramsey the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL, but that might not be enough to slow the trade discussions.

By the time Ramsey turns 25 on Oct. 24, it seems likely that he’ll be elsewhere. Nearly every team in the league has some level of interest in Ramsey, though the Jaguars’ asking price could be prohibitive for many. Reportedly, the Jaguars are seeking two first-round picks in exchange for the Pro Bowler. At least a couple of clubs have offered one first-round choice, but two is a big ask, particularly since Ramsey’s new club would have to give him a top-of-the-market extension.

Of course, deadlines – and desperation – tend to spur action in the NFL. Would be-contenders that are 1-2, or even 0-3, could be willing to break the bank and cough up serious draft capital to acquire one of the game’s best defensive talents between now and the late October trade deadline.

Jaguars’ Jalen Ramsey Still Wants Trade

If you’re playing hookie from work today, you’re not alone. Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey says he will not practice today, or perhaps anytime this week, due to having the flu, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. The Pro Bowler, he hears, still wants a trade, though the Jaguars still want to keep him. 

Things seemed to be trending in a positive direction late last week – Jags owner Shad Khan reportedly is willing to make Ramsey the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL and the team has made an effort to smooth things over with the soon-to-be 25-year-old. However, things haven’t changed on the other side of the table. Ramsey still wants to be elsewhere, even after helping his team to a Thursday night win over the Titans.

The Chiefs, some say, will make a strong push for Ramsey. They won’t be alone – nearly every team in the league wants to acquire the superstar defender.

Jaguars Don’t Want To Trade Jalen Ramsey

As with most stories of this magnitude, there have been a number of pendulum shifts in the Jalen Ramsey saga since the outspoken corner requested a trade last week. The Jaguars have no shortage of potential suitors, but while the offers that rival clubs have made for Ramsey are undeniably tempting, no one has met the asking price of two first-round picks and then some. We initially heard that Ramsey could be dealt on Friday, but when Friday came, reports surfaced indicating that Jacksonville owner Shad Khan is willing to give Ramsey a record-breaking contract to keep him in a Jaguars uniform.

In keeping with those reports, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com writes that the Jaguars are not interested in trading Ramsey, regardless of his trade demand. If the team were so inclined, Ramsey would already be gone. However, Ramsey has not been placated by the promise of future riches — riches that most every team would be willing to give him — and he still wants out.

As Schefter observes, that sets up a potential showdown this week. After their Thursday night win, the Jaguars return to the practice field Monday, and if Ramsey really wants to force the team’s hand, he could simply not show up. He would obviously be subjected to fines for that approach, but that may be a risk he’s willing to take.

For what it’s worth, Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports says the Chiefs are still considered by several GMs to be the favorites to land Ramsey. Ultimately, those GMs think Jacksonville will get a first-rounder, a second-rounder, and a young player with upside in a Ramsey trade.

Latest On Jaguars, Jalen Ramsey

When it was announced that Jalen Ramsey would play Thursday’s game with the Jaguars, the initial word was that he’d likely be moved the following day on Friday. Obviously Friday came and went, and Ramsey is still with Jacksonville.

Don’t expect a deal to get done anytime soon either. There is “no deal in the works,” according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network (Twitter link). A source told Rapoport that “the longer this goes on, the more likely it is he stays,” although Rapsheet notes that Ramsey hasn’t changed his stance and his trade demand still stands.

In a follow-up tweet, Rapoport’s NFL Network colleague Mike Garafolo notes that the “asking price is too high” and that it “doesn’t look like anyone is going to match it right now.” He also reports that it doesn’t look like the Jags plan on lowering their asking price, and that there’s “nothing percolating” on the trade front. As has been previously reported, it looks like the Jaguars are looking for multiple early picks, and likely multiple first-rounders.

Jacksonville appears to be hoping that their Thursday night win over the Titans will convince Ramsey to change his mind about a trade. The Jaguars appear rejuvenated with Gardner Minshew under center, so maybe their plan will be successful. We heard recently that Ramsey’s issue is with the front office and Tom Coughlin rather than with Doug Marrone and the coaching staff, making things somewhat more tenable for the time being. The Chiefs, Ravens, Vikings, Raiders, Eagles, and Seahawks have all reportedly made “substantive inquiries” on the young corner.

Cardinals’ GM: “We’re Not Trading Patrick Peterson”

Reports yesterday suggested that the Cardinals had inquired on star Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey, who recently requested a trade. It’s difficult to know the extent of Arizona’s interest in Ramsey, but those rumors did reignite some chatter around the Cardinals’ own stud CB, Patrick Peterson.

Peterson, who is currently serving a six-game ban for violating the league’s PED policy, requested a trade in 2018, though he walked back that request in January 2019. But in April, reports of tension between P2 and the team surfaced again, and then Peterson was hit with the suspension.

Although the three-time First Team All-Pro said in July that he’d like to be a Cardinal for life, Arizona’s reported interest in Ramsey led to some speculation as to whether the Cards would part with Peterson. However, Arizona GM Steve Keim said during a radio appearance Friday morning that Peterson is not going anywhere.

“We’re not trading Pat and that’s something we’ve been very consistent with,” Keim said (via Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com). “You always ask yourself, does a move make us better or worse? To lose someone like Pat Peterson would make us worse.”

Due to tampering considerations, Keim would not address the Ramsey situation. However, he said that the team’s decision to restructure Chandler Jones‘ contract had nothing to do with an impending move, as some believed. The club’s cap space had shrunk to less than $1MM, and the restructure was just about creating flexibility.

Jaguars Owner Shad Khan Willing To Give Jalen Ramsey Record-Breaking Deal

Tensions have been boiling between the Jaguars and Jalen Ramsey for quite some time. The cornerback wants out, but owner Shad Khan doesn’t necessarily want to let him get away, as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports. 

The assumption has been that Jacksonville’s game against Tennessee last night would be Ramsey’s last in a Jaguars uniform. After all, Ramsey, who is due for a massive contract in the near future, requested a trade earlier this week, and virtually all of the league’s other 31 teams have expressed at least some degree of interest. Plus, the Jags have received multiple trade offers that include a first-round draft choice heading to Jacksonville, though it doesn’t sound as if a rival club has dangled two first-rounders, which is what the Jaguars are reportedly seeking.

But Khan apparently wants to continue building around Ramsey, one of the league’s best corners, and he’s willing to pony up record-breaking cash to do it. Presently, Miami’s Xavien Howard is at the top of the cornerback market in terms of total contract value ($75.25MM) and AAV ($15.05MM), while Washington’s Josh Norman is the pacesetter in terms of fully-guaranteed money ($36.5MM). Given his youth and track record, Ramsey should easily clear those numbers.

However, Ramsey is dissatisfied with at least one member of the club’s front office, and while we don’t know for sure, it’s reasonable to guess that he and executive VP Tom Coughlin don’t have the warmest of relationships. Perhaps a contract that far exceeds those of other top corners will be the salve that keeps Ramsey in Jacksonville for the long haul (unless another team does offer two first-round draft picks for him, which would be very difficult for Khan to turn down).

Ramsey refused to talk about his trade demand after last night’s win.

Rory Parks contributed to this post.

Latest On Jalen Ramsey, Jaguars

Although the sideline argument with Doug Marrone served as the most visible part of this Jalen Ramsey trade saga, the All-Pro cornerback said the Jaguars’ front office prompted him to seek a trade.

During an appearance on Uninterrupted’s “17 Weeks” podcast with Nate Burleson, Ramsey said he chalked up the issue with Marrone to heat-of-the-moment matters that can happen. But Ramsey indicated comments from Jacksonville front office brass in a recent meeting did not sit well with him.

Some disrespectful things were said on their end that made me definitely walk out and call my agent as soon as I walked out,” Ramsey said during the podcast (h/t BigCatCountry.com). “I said, ‘It is time. My time is up here in Jacksonville. I want to ask for a trade.’

“… It was more about the front office and the organization. I called my agent after the game.”

He said the trade request had been “building over a little bit of time.” Over the summer, a report emerged indicating the Jags would not negotiate an extension with Ramsey this year. The two-time Pro Bowler indicated he would not give the team a hometown discount. Two seasons remain on the 2016 first-rounder’s contract. GM Dave Caldwell oversaw the decision to draft Ramsey at No. 5 overall in 2016. Jags executive VP Tom Coughlin was not yet with the franchise when that happened.

Ramsey is active for the Jaguars against the Titans tonight but expects to be traded before Week 4. Nearly the entire league has entered this pursuit, to some degree, with the Chiefs, Eagles, Seahawks, Vikings, Ravens and Raiders mentioned as the most interested suitors at this point. A trade could come as soon as Friday, and a deal may require a team to unload two first-round picks.

NFC Notes: Ramsey, 49ers, Zimmer, White

With another busy day of football news winding down, let’s take a look around the NFC:

  • The 49ers are “not in” on Jalen Ramsey, a source tells Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports. San Fran isn’t interested in trading for the cornerback because of the level of compensation that the Jaguars are requesting (two first-rounders) and the sizable extension Ramsey will expect to sign.
  • Jason Verrett, who has dealt with health issues throughout his career, has yet to make his debut for the 49ers and the cornerback hasn’t ruled out requesting a trade. Maiocco (as he relays in a separate piece) asked Verrett if he would ask for one if he continues to be inactive for games and the CB responded with “We’ll see what happens.”
  • In an interview on NFL Network, Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said he wants to coach until he’s 70-years-old. Zimmer turned 63 in June.
  • Buccaneers LB Devin White continues to sit out of practice, as Josh Alper of PFT relays. White injured his knee during the team’s TNF game against the Panthers last week and coach Bruce Arians insinuated that White would not be out long. Now, it’s looking like his status for Tampa Bay’s Week 3 contest is in doubt.

Almost Every NFL Team In On Jalen Ramsey

Jalen Ramsey is on the block, and just about every NFL team is interested, as Josina Anderson of ESPN.com tweets. Specifically, the Chiefs, Ravens, Vikings, Raiders, Eagles, and Seahawks have all made “substantive inquiries” on the Jaguars cornerback, Anderson reports.

At this point, it feels like a certainty that Ramsey will be traded. And that deal is expected to go down soon. The Jags are reportedly hoping to move Ramsey on Friday, though he’ll still suit up for Thursday night’s game against the Titans.

In an interesting twist, the Titans also expressed interest in Ramsey, Dianna Russini of ESPN.com (on Twitter) hears, though the price proved to be too high for them and some other interested teams. That, sadly, rules out a scenario like the famed 1978 76ers/Nets trade that saw Eric Money (real name) play, and score, for both teams in the same game (kidding).

In any sport, it’s dicey to put a player on the field when he’s on the verge of being traded. That’s especially true in football, but if this week’s rumblings are true, then the Jaguars will be willing to roll the dice for their national TV game against Tennessee.

After that, Ramsey will likely suit up for another club, but he won’t be eligible to play twice in the same week.

Cardinals Inquire On Jalen Ramsey

The Cardinals might not be the leaders in the clubhouse for Jalen Ramsey, but they’re at least interested. The Cardinals don’t believe they’ll land the standout cornerback, but they did speak with the Jaguars about him, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter) hears. 

They also restructured the contract of linebacker Chandler Jones this week, Schefter hears, giving them an additional $4MM in cap flexibility this season. That’s money that could, in theory, be put towards acquiring Ramsey and giving him the top-of-the-market extension that he seeks.

Here’s where things stand on the Ramsey front: The Jaguars are asking two first-round picks in a trade, but clubs have yet to meet their asking price. So far, they’ve received offers of one first-round choice from two different clubs, and teams could up the ante as time moves on. Ramsey will be in uniform for the Jaguars’ Thursday night game against the Titans, but it sounds like the Jags are hoping to trade him on Friday. The Raiders are among the teams with interest in the standout corner and most of the league’s teams want him as well.

Schefter also passes along this interesting note, via Twitter – Earlier this week, one team reached out to the league office and asked whether Ramsey could play on Sunday for a new club after he played Thursday for Jacksonville. The league informed the team that Ramsey could not, as league rules restrict players to one game per week.