Minkah

Fitzpatrick

The Jets are sending a seventh-round pick that originally belonged to the Chargers in exchange for the 29-year-old safety. Fitzpatrick, who was set to enter the final year of his deal, will sign a three-year, $40 million contract with the Jets, giving them a solid option in the secondary for the foreseeable future. The Jets need all the help they can get after finishing 31st in points allowed and 25th in yards allowed last season. Fitzpatrick, a three-time First-team All-Pro, totaled 82 tackles, six pass breakups, and one interception for the Dolphins last season while earning a PFF grade of 81.8.

New Jets DC Brian Duker coached Fitzpatrick last year in Miami, and Fitzpatrick is apparently imminently available. The Jets realistically aren’t a Minkah Fitzpatrick away from contention, but they may be a Minkah Fitzpatrick away from playing poorly enough to get Aaron Glenn fired. From that perspective, this could make some sense.

This comes as no surprise. Achane, 24, and Waddle, 27, are core offensive players. The Dolphins recently released WRs Tyreek Hill and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and LB Bradley Chubb as they enter a youth-oriented rebuild. Wolfe echoed recent reports indicating that trade talks regarding QB Tua Tagovailoa and S Minkah Fitzpatrick could heat up at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Fitzpatrick returned to Miami in 2025 as part of the deal that sent Jalen Ramsey to Pittsburgh. He appeared in 14 games, totaling six pass breakups and one interception. Fitzpatrick also added one sack and two fumble recoveries. The Dolphins have already made the decision to release Tyreek Hill and Bradley Chubb to save cap space. They will almost certainly take a deal to move Fitzpatrick if it gives them more ammunition in the draft. This is shaping up to be a true reset season for Miami.

McDaniel stressed that Fitzpatrick doesn’t want to be shut down. The 29-year-old safety didn’t play against the Buccaneers in Week 18, and with Miami eliminated from playof contention there isn’t a great reason outside of pride for the safety to play. He still might.

Fitzpatrick has been dealing with a calf injury since Week 15’s game against the Steelers. He will now miss back-to-back games due to the injury and will try to make it back for Week 18’s season finale against the Patriots. His absence should free up some room in the secondary for Mike Evans and company after the Bucs have struggled to get things going through the air as of late.

Fitzpatrick picked up the calf issue in the Dolphins’ Week 15 loss to the Steelers. He did not suit up last week and a DNP today puts him on track to miss Week 17 as well. Fitzpatrick has been one of the few bright spots on a dismal Miami defense this year. The Dolphins got lit up by the Bengals last week and will likely be an easy target for Baker Mayfield and the Bucs on Sunday.

It’s possible Fitzpatrick is able to get back for one of the final two games, but we’d be stunned if he played in Week 16. The veteran safety has enjoyed a bounceback year for the Dolphins with a 81.8 PFF defensive grade — his finest since 2022 — and has one year left on his deal at a $18.8 million cap hit.

Fitzpatrick was acquired earlier in the offseason in the trade that sent Jonnu Smith and Jalen Ramsey to Pittsburgh. According to Schultz, the Dolphins have received “interest from multiple teams” for Fitzpatrick, who is under contract through 2026. Fitzpatrick has appeared in all nine games for the Dolphins this season, totaling 50 tackles, five pass breakups, and one interception, while also recovering one fumble. Fitzpatrick, 28, has been named as a Pro Bowler for each of the last three years and would immediately improve whatever secondary he lands with.

The revised contract does not add any additional years to Fitzpatrick’s deal, which is good through the 2026 season. Instead, the veteran safety will have a $16.245 million signing bonus added to his deal, which agent Drew Rosenhaus said Fitzpatrick was “comfortable” with as they “continue to work with the Dolphins on a multi-year extension.” Fitzpatrick was acquired from the Steelers in the trade that sent Jonnu Smith and Jalen Ramsey to Pittsburgh. The 28-year-old safety should be in line for another big extension after totaling 96 tackles, one interception, and four pass breakups last season.