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Miami Dolphins make logical decision to answer crucial question regarding their biggest offseason move

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Craig Smith | Last updated Jul 27, 2025 11:50 AM ET

The Miami Dolphins made one of the bigger splashes of the offseason a few weeks ago, sending two of the most notable names on the roster in Jalen Ramsey and Jonnu Smith to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for one of the biggest names from the Dolphins' previous rosters in Minkah Fitzpatrick.

The reunion with Fitzpatrick raised some questions, particularly as it relates to the long-term relationship between the two. After all, Fitzpatrick had no more guaranteed money left on his contract when he was sent back to Miami.

The Dolphins took a significant step towards continuing that relationship on Sunday, agreeing to revise the contract to add $16.245 million in guaranteed money through a signing bonus for this season.

Dolphins and their recently-acquired safety Minkah Fitzpatrick have agreed to a revised contract, adding a $16.245 million signing bonus to his deal. There had been no guaranteed money left on the contract, and no additional years were added. “We are comfortable with this… pic.twitter.com/MNODoAf7W5
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 27, 2025

According to Tom Pelissero, the move creates about $11 million in cap space for this year. That appears to be through the addition of void years with the new revised contract to create the space this year, as my colleague Kyle Crabbs notes.

The #Dolphins signed Minkah Fitzpatrick to a revised contract, moving up $2 million to this year in a move that clears about $11M in cap space.

So it’s a $2M raise this year for Fitzpatrick, who is now due $17.5M in 2025 and $15.6M in 2026, and more flexibility for Miami. pic.twitter.com/35NDqrcFRt
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 27, 2025

$16.245M signing bonus divided by 5 years = $3.249M per year in cap accounting in '25 through '29

PLUS

$1.225M minimum salary in 2025

= $4.474M cap charge in 2025 ($11.026M in cap savings)@TomPelissero cap details confirm the Dolphins put three void years on the back of it https://t.co/8bQrxqUp9d
— Kyle Crabbs (@KyleCrabbs) July 27, 2025

Fitzpatrick recently hired Drew Rosenhaus, who is seeking to work out a long-term contract with the Dolphins and their 2018 first round pick. It appears this move was done as a good faith move in furtherance of those plans and was a logical one for Miami to make.

The Dolphins had the second fewest cap space in the league before the Fitzpatrick restructure contract at $1.064 million. Only the Buffalo Bills had less space at $943K over. This will help the team be able to sign a veteran or training camp surprise cut and/or practice squad players in the coming weeks and months.

It's a win-win for Fitzpatrick and the Dolphins' chances of putting their best roster on the field in a crucial 2025 season for the franchise.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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