Jets May Have Interest in Trading for Minkah Fitzpatrick
Rich Cimini, who covers the NY Jets for ESPN, reported Sunday to keep an eye on the Jets trading for Miami Dolphins safety Minkah Fitzpatrick.
Cimini said: “One name to watch is Miami Dolphins safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, who reportedly is available for trade. New Jets defensive coordinator Brian Duker was the Dolphins’ passing-game coordinator, so he’s familiar with Fitzpatrick.”
New Miami Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan has been very open about the Dolphins’ interest in trading Minkah Fitzpatrick as Miami looks to get younger and cheaper with its roster this offseason.
If Minkah is traded, it would open up $5.8 million in cap space for the Dolphins, which they sorely need.
Typically, trading a great player to a division rival wouldn’t be ideal, but because both the Jets and Dolphins are expected to be two of the worst teams in the entire league in 2026, I don’t think it would prevent Miami from pulling the trigger on a trade to acquire a draft pick.
Minkah is a five-time Pro Bowler who had 82 tackles, six passes defended, two fumble recoveries, a forced fumble, a sack, and an interception in 14 games this past season.
It would be interesting to see if Minkah would be happy in New York.
Miami is a team going through a major overhaul and rebuild, and the Jets are in a similar situation.
The difference is that the Jets have pressure on them to win now in 2026, as their head coach enters the year on the hot seat.
Plus, with Minkah having no guaranteed money on his contract this season, if the Jets trade for him and give him an extension and more guaranteed money, that may make it an appealing financial situation for Minkah, as he is about to turn 30 in November.
Minkah was one of Miami’s most consistent and best players last season and showed he can excel if in the right system.
With the Jets’ new defensive coordinator having worked with Fitzpatrick last season, it makes sense that they would have interest.
There have also been rumblings that the Cincinnati Bengals have a strong interest in Fitzpatrick.
Those reports and rumors have been that if Fitzpatrick is released, though, no word that they have any interest in trading for him at this time.
