The New York Jets could look to a division rival to fill a need.
ESPN’s Rich Cimini wrote in a column on Sunday, March 1, that Miami Dolphins safety Minkah 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, 29, is a three-time first-team All-Pro, a five-time Pro Bowler, and led the league in interceptions back in 2022.
Fitzpatrick Is Available for the Right Price
NFL Insider Jordan Schultz revealed on February 18 that the Dolphins “have had trade talks with teams regarding 5x Pro Bowl S Minkah Fitzpatrick.”
This week, Cimini said that the Jets were “exploring” the trade market for a safety this offseason.
Jets analyst Dom C. shared his “hot take” on social media, predicting that the Jets would trade for Fitzpatrick from the Dolphins.
“Plenty of cap room to absorb his bloated contract (only one year remaining). He brings that veteran presence that Mougey has talked about adding this offseason. Assumption: he could be had for a day 3 pick,” he posted.
“I’m excited about the opportunity to add some veteran players to this team. We have one of the younger rosters in the NFL right now. So I really believe we are going to be able to add some good veteran players in this free agency class that can inject some veteran experience & leadership onto this young team,” general manager Darren Mougey told Jets senior reporter Eric Allen at the NFL Combine.
The Contract Details on Fitzpatrick
Miami is undergoing massive changes after switching out its head coach and general manager. What does that mean? Older veterans are being shown the door as they adjust to a hard rebuild. That could be good news for the Jets.
He has one year left on his $73.6 million contract through the 2026 season. Fitzpatrick is set to count $18.8 million against the cap this year. The Dolphins would incur a $12.9 million dead cap hit if they choose to move on.
Looking at Fitzpatrick’s Production
The former Alabama product first entered the league as the No. 11 overall pick in the first round of the 2018 NFL draft.
After just a season and change, Fitzpatrick was flipped from the Dolphins to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
He spent the next six years with the Steelers. Then this past summer, Pittsburgh slapped a return-to-sender sticker on Fitzpatrick and traded him back to Miami. Now the veteran defensive back is likely to be on the move again.
In his eight-year NFL career, he has appeared in 120 games and has made 115 starts. With those opportunities, Fitzpatrick has collected 21 interceptions, four pick-sixes, 60 pass deflections, six forced fumbles, seven fumble recoveries, a sack, 12 tackles for loss, and 690 tackles.
The Jets badly need to add multiple safeties this offseason. The overall team lacks true veterans. Specifically, on defense, the Jets need players who can force takeaways.
Historically speaking, Fitzpatrick has been a turnover machine. However, over the last three years, he has only had two interceptions, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries. That could explain why he could be on his third team in three years if he gets traded this offseason.
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