The New York Jets are adding a key piece to their defense ahead of 2026 NFL free agency.
The Jets have acquired veteran safety Minkah Fitzpatrick from the Miami Dolphins in exchange for a 2026 seventh-round pick, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
New York will sign Fitzpatrick to a three-year, $40 million contract extension upon completing the trade.
Fitzpatrick is an eight-year veteran who started 14 games for the Dolphins last season. The 29-year-old racked up 82 tackles, one interception, six pass defenses and his first-ever sack while grading as Pro Football Focus’ fifth-best safety among 91 qualifiers.
The Jets had a big need at safety during the offseason, as two of the team’s top three safeties in snaps played from 2025, Andre Cisco and Tony Adams, are set to be free agents. Fitzpatrick – a five-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro first teamer – will replace and upgrade the duo while serving as a counterpart for fellow Alabama product Malachi Moore, who racked up 101 tackles as a rookie.
Meanwhile, the Dolphins will save just under $5.9 million in cap space by trading Fitzpatrick.
Fitzpatrick has now been traded three times during his NFL career. The Dolphins first sent him to the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2019 for a package including a 2020 first-round draft pick before Pittsburgh sent him back to Miami as part of the package to land Jalen Ramsey and Jonnu Smith during the 2025 NFL offseason.
The NFL record for times traded during a career is four, a feat shared by Brandin Cooks and Eric Dickerson.
Minkah Fitzpatrick trade details
Jets get:
S Minkah Fitzpatrick
Dolphins get:
2026 seventh-round pick
Minkah Fitzpatrick contract details
Fitzpatrick was entering the final season of a four-year, $73.6 million contract in 2026 before signing a three-year extension with the Jets. Below is a look at the reported new-money value of his deal:
Term: 3 years
Total contract value: $40 million
Average annual value (AAV): $13.33 million
Fitzpatrick’s $13.33 million AAV will rank 13th among NFL safeties ahead of 2026 NFL free agency, per OverTheCap.com.
The Jets will also be on the hook for Fitzpatrick’s $15.6 million base salary in 2026, so he will be tied to the team through his age-33 season in 2029.
Minkah Fitzpatrick stats
Below is a look at Fitzpatrick’s career stats across eight seasons with the Dolphins and Steelers:
Games: 120
Tackles: 690
TFL: 12
Sacks: 1
Interceptions: 21
Pass defenses: 60
Forced fumbles: 4
(This story will be updated as more information becomes available.)
