The New York Jets have more than $74 million in cap space in the first week of NFL free agency. They are looking for veteran leadership in coach Aaron Glenn after a 3-14 season.
But the Jets are determined to remove tension from at least one key position. The team began trading with division rivals before free agents officially arrived.
ESPN NFL reporter Adam Schefter reported Monday that New York has acquired All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick from the Miami Dolphins.
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“TRADE: The Miami Dolphins are sending Minkah Fitzpatrick to the New York Jets in exchange for the Chargers’ 2026 seventh-round pick, per ESPN sources,” Schefter posted on X.
Fitzpatrick, 29, is an eight-year pro who will make his second appearance at Miami in 2025. He started 14 games and recorded 82 tackles, four tackles for loss, one sack and an interception. The Dolphins selected him 11th overall in the 2018 NFL Draft and traded him to the Pittsburgh Steelers early in the 2019 campaign.
Fitzpatrick is a three-time first-team All-Pro and five Pro Bowl appearances, most recently in 2024. In six seasons with the Steelers, Fitzpatrick recorded 516 tackles, 18 interceptions (three returned for touchdowns) and six tackles for loss.
Miami Dolphins free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (29) faces Buffalo Bills’ James Cook (4) in the first quarter at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Image
According to Schefter, the Jets signed Fitzpatrick, represented by agent Drew Rosenhaus, to a three-year, $40 million contract. Fitzpatrick was set to enter the final year of a four-year, $73 million contract with the Dolphins.
The trade for Fitzpatrick satisfies Jets general manager Darren Mougey’s desire to add a veteran to the Jets roster.
“I feel really good about the cap space we have starting in free agency,” Mougey said at the NFL Combine, per the team website. “If you look at our roster right now, if you exclude all of the free agents and RFAs, we have one of the youngest rosters in the NFL. It’s an opportunity to add veteran players, it’s an opportunity to add veteran leadership at certain positions.”
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