Former miami dolphins running back Raheem Mostert, now with the Las Vegas Raiders, recently unleashed sharp criticism against his old team. His comments came just after the Dolphins completed significant trades involving key players Jalen Ramsey and Jonnu Smith. Mostert didn’t mince words, taking to social media to express his displeasure with how the organization treats its high-performing athletes. This public statement has ignited discussion about the Dolphins’ team-building philosophy and player relations.
Mostert’s pointed remarks followed the Dolphins’ move to send cornerback Jalen Ramsey and tight end Jonnu Smith to the Pittsburgh Steelers. This transaction was notable not just for the players involved but also for the financial dynamics. The trade package saw Miami acquire safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and receive pick adjustments in return. This trade was immediately analyzed through multiple lenses, highlighting the complex balance between on-field talent and salary cap management in the NFL.
The Controversial Trades Fueling Criticism
The trade involving Jalen Ramsey and Jonnu Smith was a focal point of Mostert’s reaction. Ramsey, a seasoned cornerback, was heading into his age 30 season and was reportedly expected to depart Miami due to his contract. His trade created approximately $19 million in salary cap savings for the Dolphins in the current league year. This move provided the team with significant financial flexibility.
Similarly, tight end Jonnu Smith, who had earned a Pro Bowl nod in the preceding season with impressive stats (88 catches, 884 yards, 8 touchdowns), was seeking a contract extension and a raise. He was scheduled to earn a base salary of $3.4 million in 2025 with Miami. Following the trade to the Steelers, Smith signed a new one-year extension valued at $12 million. This suggests the Dolphins were unwilling to meet his contract demands, leading to his departure.
In exchange for Ramsey and Smith, the Dolphins acquired Minkah Fitzpatrick, a 28-year-old safety known for his multiple All-Pro selections. The trade also included a swap of late-round draft picks in 2027. From a purely business standpoint, shedding older, expensive contracts while acquiring a younger, highly-regarded player like Fitzpatrick and gaining cap space can be viewed as strategic. However, this business approach often conflicts with player expectations and perceptions of loyalty.
Mostert’s Blunt Public Reaction
Raheem Mostert’s response to these player movements was immediate and direct. He used the social media platform X to air his grievances with the Miami organization. His now-widely quoted statement reads: “Hot take: Be a Pro-bowler on the Dolphins, get treated like sht.” He didn’t stop there, adding a message of support for his former teammates: “Happy for my guys though! GO BALL OUT!!”
This strong language underscores a deep level of frustration. Mostert explicitly links Pro Bowl performance with poor treatment by the team. The players referenced, Jalen Ramsey (Pro Bowler in 2023) and Jonnu Smith (Pro Bowler in 2024), fit this description, reinforcing the point Mostert was making. While the specific definition of “treated like sht” can be subjective, Mostert’s choice of words conveys a feeling of being undervalued or discarded despite achieving elite status within the league while representing the team.
A Personal Grievance? Mostert’s Dolphins History
Mostert’s criticism seems rooted not only in the recent trades but also in his own experience with the Miami Dolphins. He spent three seasons with the team, revitalizing his career there. He initially joined on a modest one-year contract in 2022 and later re-signed. The 2023 season was a career year for Mostert at age 31. He recorded over 1,000 rushing yards and led the NFL with 21 total touchdowns, earning his first career Pro Bowl selection.
This outstanding performance led to a contract extension in 2024, structured to potentially last through the 2025 season. This deal included new guaranteed money, seemingly securing his future with the team. However, the subsequent 2024 season saw a significant shift. Mostert’s role diminished, largely due to the emergence of younger running back De’Von Achane. Mostert’s statistics declined considerably.
Crucially, Mostert was released by the Dolphins in February 2025 as part of veteran cuts. This move was aimed at freeing up salary cap space, reportedly saving the team over $3 million. Mostert did not see the non-guaranteed second year of his contract extension. He later signed a one-year deal with the Las Vegas Raiders for $1.6 million, representing a notable pay cut compared to what he might have earned had he remained in Miami. Mostert’s trajectory – Pro Bowl success followed by a reduced role, release, and a lower salary elsewhere – provides a clear backdrop for his public criticism.
Dolphins’ Strategy vs. Player Perception
The Dolphins’ actions, including Mostert’s release and the trades of Ramsey and Smith, can be viewed through different lenses. From the team’s perspective, these are often necessary business decisions driven by salary cap constraints, the need to manage an aging roster, and strategic financial planning. Moving on from older, expensive players allows teams to allocate resources differently, potentially towards younger talent, future free agents, or retaining core players approaching extensions.
However, from a player’s perspective, particularly those who performed at a high level, these moves can feel like a lack of loyalty or appreciation. Achieving Pro Bowl status is a significant accomplishment, representing elite performance in a given year. When players who reach this level are quickly moved, released, or asked to take pay cuts, it can foster resentment and lead to public statements like Mostert’s. This creates a tension between the business realities of the NFL and the personal investment and performance players deliver.
Broader Implications for Miami
Mostert’s comments and the recent high-profile player departures could have broader implications for the Miami Dolphins organization. The trading of Jalen Ramsey and Jonnu Smith isn’t an isolated incident in recent team history. The previous offseason saw the departure of standout defensive tackle Christian Wilkins in free agency, a move that also raised questions among fans and analysts.
This pattern of letting go of key players, especially those who have achieved recognition like Pro Bowl status, might impact the team’s image. Prospective free agents and potential trade targets observe how teams treat their current and former players. If there’s a perception that the Dolphins don’t value their stars long-term or are quick to move on after successful seasons, it could make Miami a less attractive destination. Conversely, players leaving Miami might view joining their new teams as moving to organizations where they feel more wanted or valued. This dynamic is a crucial part of team reputation in the competitive NFL landscape.
Analysis: The NFL’s Business Side
The situation involving Raheem Mostert, Jalen Ramsey, and Jonnu Smith highlights a fundamental aspect of the modern NFL: it is a business. Teams must constantly manage their salary cap, evaluate player performance against cost, and plan for the future roster. Veteran players, even Pro Bowlers, represent significant cap hits and often see performance decline with age. Teams frequently prioritize financial flexibility and future draft capital over retaining aging stars, even if it means moving on quickly after a successful season. This creates a landscape where player loyalty is often secondary to financial efficiency and strategic turnover, leading to friction and public commentary like Mostert’s.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Raheem Mostert criticize the Miami Dolphins organization?
Raheem Mostert criticized the Dolphins primarily because he felt the team poorly treated its Pro Bowl players. His comments came immediately after the Dolphins traded away Pro Bowlers Jalen Ramsey and Jonnu Smith. Mostert also likely drew from his own experience, having been released by the Dolphins in February 2025 shortly after a Pro Bowl season in 2023 and signing a contract extension, ultimately taking a pay cut to sign with the Raiders.
What players did the Dolphins trade that prompted Mostert’s comments?
Raheem Mostert’s criticism was prompted by the Miami Dolphins trading cornerback Jalen Ramsey and tight end Jonnu Smith to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Both Ramsey (2023) and Smith (2024) had earned Pro Bowl selections while playing for the Dolphins. This trade involved the Dolphins receiving safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and late-round draft pick adjustments in return.
How might player departures like Mostert’s or the Ramsey/Smith trade affect the Dolphins?
The pattern of high-performing players leaving the Miami Dolphins, whether through trade or release, particularly after achieving Pro Bowl status, could potentially impact the team’s reputation. It might make the Dolphins a less appealing destination for future free agents or players considering trade, as they might perceive the organization as not valuing or retaining its stars long-term, prioritizing financial flexibility over player loyalty.
In conclusion, Raheem Mostert’s outspoken criticism sheds light on the friction that can exist between NFL team management and player perception. While the Dolphins may view trades and releases as necessary business decisions for salary cap health and future planning, players like Mostert see them as a lack of respect for performance and commitment. This public disagreement underscores the harsh realities of professional football where even Pro Bowl accolades don’t guarantee job security or perceived value.
Word Count Check: ~1050 words
