The New York Jets have made their first splash of the offseason.
According to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter, the Jets have struck a trade with the Miami Dolphins. The Jets are flipping a 2026 seventh-round pick to the Dolphins in exchange for defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick.
As part of the trade, the Jets are immediately signing Fitzpatrick to a new three-year $40 million contract, Schefter added.
The Jets will sign Fitzpatrick to a three-year, $40 million deal, per his agent Drew Rosenhaus.
The Immediate Details on the Fitzpatrick Jets-Dolphins Trade
Fitzpatrick, 29, is a three-time first-team All-Pro and has been named a Pro Bowler five times.
This new contract is set to pay Fitzpatrick $13.33 million per season. That annual salary places Fitzpatrick No. 13 among the highest-paid safeties in the NFL, per Over The Cap.
ESPN’s Rich Cimini first put this possibility out into the universe in a column he posted on March 1. He said Fitzpatrick is a “name to watch.”
“[Minkah] reportedly is available for trade. New Jets defensive coordinator Brian Duker was the Dolphins’ passing-game coordinator, so he’s familiar with Fitzpatrick,” Cimini explained.
Fitzpatrick Has a Sterling Resume
The former Alabama product first entered the NFL as the No. 11 overall pick in the first round of the 2018 NFL draft.
Across his eight seasons in the NFL, Fitzpatrick has appeared in 120 games and has made 115 starts. The talented defensive back with those opportunities has collected 21 interceptions, 60 pass deflections, 690 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss, six forced fumbles, seven fumble recoveries, and a sack.
Top Social Media Reactions to This Stunner
NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport revealed that the Dolphins “had been shopping” Fitzpatrick around for the “last several days.”
“Had heard last week the Jets were interested in Minkah Fitzpatrick. The former first-round pick is 29. Smart player. Can run the back end of the defense. Familiarity with new DC Brian Duker. Downside: Only two INTs over the last 3 seasons,” ESPN’s Rich Cimini posted on social media.
“Big upgrade for the Jets at safety. Fitzpatrick is 29, but still among [the] better in [the] NFL. New York gets a jumpstart in fixing their secondary. This free agent class is weak. Value buys will be NYJ priority there. There splashes will come elsewhere — like trades,” NFL Insider Connor Hughes of SNY posted.
“Darren Mougey has now made trades acquiring Minkah Fitzpatrick, Harrison Phillips, Jowon Briggs and Jarvis Brownlee and he didn’t give up more than a sixth-round pick in any of them. All will play key roles on the Jets defense in 2026,” Zack Rosenblatt of The Atheltic wrote.
All will play key roles on the Jets defense in 2026.
A Much Needed Splash for the Jets
The Jets’ safety room wasn’t good enough last year. A majority of the room is exiting stage left this offseason: Isaiah Oliver, Tony Adams, and Andre Cisco are all scheduled to become unrestricted free agents on Wednesday, March 11.
A couple of former Alabama defensive backs are set to patrol the secondary in Fitzpatrick and second-year player Malachi Moore.
I wouldn’t say the Jets are done at safety. They could still sign another veteran and/or attack the position during the 2026 NFL draft. This team isn’t finished reconstructing the secondary.
Jets Strike Rare Trade With Dolphins for All-Pro, Immediately Sign Extension