Jul 28, 2025; Miami Gardens, MI, USA; Miami Dolphins safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (29) speaks to reporters during training camp at Baptist Health Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Instant Breakdown From Jets-Dolphins Minkah Fitzpatrick Blockbuster

Originally posted on New York Jets on SI
By Zach Pressnell | Last updated Mar 9, 2026 10:02 AM ET

The New York Jets came into the offseason needing to make moves to transform their defense in the eyes of head coach Aaron Glenn. Glenn is set to take over the play calling duties on defense, so he likely wants a unit built to run the system he likes the best.

As a result, the Jets traded Jermaine Johnson to the Tennessee Titans earlier this offseason to acquire T'Vondre Sweat. Sweat fits as a 3-4 nose tackle much better than Johnson fits as a 3-4 edge rusher. With the Jets reportedly switching to a 3-4 defense, this move was a huge win.

But the Jets weren't done there.

Hours before free agency was set to begin on Monday, the Jets agreed to send a 2026 seventh round pick to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for former All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, per NFL insider Adam Schefter. Fitzpatrick is set to sign a three-year, $40 million deal with the Jets, per his agent Drew Rosenhaus.

Jets strike gold with Minkah Fitzpatrick trade

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"Trade: The Miami Dolphins are sending Minkah Fitzpatrick to the New York Jets in exchange for the 2026 seventh-round pick from the Chargers, per ESPN sources," Schefter wrote in a post to Twitter/X on Monday morning. "The Jets will sign Fitzpatrick to a three-year, $40 million deal, per his agent Drew Rosenhaus."

The Jets needed to add to their secondary in a big way this offseason, especially considering they're likely to let go of Andre Cisco and Tony Adams in free agency.

Considering it only cost them a seventh round pick this season, it's safe to say the Jets struck gold with this deal. It's practically impossible to land Fitzpatrick's talent and ability with a seventh rounder. Signing him for three years and $40 million feels like quite a steal, too.

What does Minkah Fitzpatrick bring to the defense?

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Fitzpatrick may not be in his prime anymore, but he's still a very talented safety with the knack for the big play. The Jets defense didn't record any interceptions last season and Fitzpatrick is one of the league's most notorious ball hawks. He might only have two interceptions in the last three years, but he's still typically in the right place at the right time.

The Jets seemingly won this trade in a big way.

This article first appeared on New York Jets on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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