Dolphins Reportedly Trade Veteran Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick To Jets

The Miami Dolphins have traded veteran safety Minkah Fitzpatrick to the New York Jets, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. This trade comes as the result of a rebuild in Miami, with Fitzpatrick being the latest veteran shown the exit.

Fitzpatrick will sign a three-year, $40 million contract with the Jets, agent Drew Rosenhaus told Schefter.

In return, the Dolphins reportedly will receive a 2026 seventh-round pick that originally belonged to the Los Angeles Chargers. 

The Dolphins selected Fitzpatrick No. 11 overall in the 2018 NFL Draft and traded him to the Steelers in 2019, when he tallied two interceptions — including a pick-6 — and 80 total tackles as a rookie. While in Pittsburgh, Fitzpatrick became a three-time first-team All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowler.

Fitzpatrick made his way back to the organization last offseason, as the Steelers traded the All-Pro back to Miami from Pittsburgh in exchange for veteran cornerback Jalen Ramsey. 

He logged 18 interceptions (4 being returned for touchdowns), 6 tackles for loss and 4 fumble recoveries with the Steelers. Fitzpatrick earned a four-year extension with the club in 2022 that made him the highest-paid safety in the league, averaging $18.4 million per season. He has since been surpassed in AAV, with Baltimore Ravens star safety Kyle Hamilton leading the position, averaging $25.1 million per year.

Fitzpatrick was set to become an unrestricted free agent in 2027. 

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With the Dolphins in 2025, Fitzpatrick appeared in 14 games, recording 82 total tackles, 6 passes defended, 4 tackles for loss, 2 fumble recoveries and 1 interception. In his first year back in Miami, Fitzpatrick missed the Pro Bowl for the first time since 2021 despite a solid campaign.

Miami finished the 2025 season 7-10, missing the postseason for a second consecutive season and costing head coach Mike McDaniel his job after four years. The Dolphins had already released linebacker Bradley Chubb and wide receiver Tyreek Hill before shipping Fitzpatrick out of town. 

Shortly before the Fitzpatrick trade was reported, the Dolphins announced that quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will be released after the start of the new league year.