Enough is enough. It’s time for the Jacksonville Jaguars to cut ties with All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey and move on.
Sometimes in life, no matter how hard you try, certain relationships just won’t work out. In the instance of the Jacksonville Jaguars and Jalen Ramsey, this relationship’s goose is cooked.
Picked with the fifth overall selection in the 2016 NFL Draft, Ramsey was as highly touted a prospect as anyone when he left Florida State. Garnering an All-Pro selection in 2017 and making two Pro Bowls in his first three seasons, the hype has certainly been real. Unfortunately, though, it’s come with a lot of drama as well.
A flurry of quotes and actions prior to the 2019 NFL season had already established Ramsey as one of the more outspoken superstars in the league. That reputation found new life when Ramsey got into an altercation with head coach Doug Marrone during a Sept. 15 game against the Houston Texans. Having to be restrained, the scene involving the 24-year-old made news leaguewide.
The following day, Ramsey’s agent, David Mulugheta, requested his client be traded from Jacksonville. Numerous trade rumors and plenty of rumblings have since ensued, yet Ramsey remains a Jaguar. This week, reports surfaced regarding a potential illness — and later, back injury — that would keep Ramsey out of practice. He is now away from the team as he awaits the birth of his daughter. In a recent podcast appearance, Ramsey had this to say about his status with the team:
“I’m not sure if I’ve played my final game with the Jags yet or not, but the trade request still stands… once respect is lost for both parties, I think it’s time to part ways.”
Let’s not make this more difficult than it needs to be. Ramsey is one of the top players in the league at a position plenty of teams could use significant help at. He is under contract for the remainder of the 2019 season for under $4 million, as well as one more year at $13.7 million. When Jacksonville was 10-6 and went to the AFC Championship Game in 2017, Ramsey was a lot less disgruntled. Winning could truly be all he wants (in addition to a new contract down the line).
Many contending teams would benefit from Ramsey’s services not only in 2019 and ’20, but through the majority of his prime. Squads such as the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs have young, extremely promising quarterbacks and player-friendly head coaches. They’re bound to win plenty of games over the next five-plus years, which seems like an environment right up Ramsey’s alley.
There’s no sense in the Jaguars holding Ramsey hostage. He’s not happy. The franchise likely isn’t too happy, either. It would be in the best interest of both parties if Ramsey was traded. He’ll be on another team, and the Jaguars will recoup a king’s ransom for one of the brightest young stars the NFL has to offer.