NY Jets Trade for Five-Time Pro Bowl Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick in $40M Deal

The New York Jets have completed a trade with the Miami Dolphins to obtain star safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, immediately signing him to a three-year, $40 million extension. The move addresses a critical defensive need for a Jets team that made NFL history last season by failing to record a single interception.

The New York Jets have completed a blockbuster trade with the Miami Dolphins to obtain star safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, immediately locking him up with a three-year, $40 million contract extension, according to a source familiar with the transaction who spoke to The Associated Press on Monday.

In exchange for the five-time Pro Bowl defender, the Jets will send Miami a seventh-round selection in this year’s draft, two sources confirmed to the AP under condition of anonymity since the transaction cannot be finalized until Wednesday when the NFL’s new league year begins.

This move, which ESPN first broke, fills a critical gap for New York after the franchise became the first NFL team in history to complete an entire season without recording a single interception.

The 29-year-old defensive back had one season remaining on his Miami contract valued at $15.6 million, though the money was not guaranteed.

This marks the second significant trade of the offseason for New York, as the organization continues upgrading its defense during coach Aaron Glenn’s sophomore campaign. The Jets previously obtained nose tackle T’Vondre Sweat from Tennessee in exchange for edge rusher Jermaine Johnson last month.

Glenn dismissed defensive coordinator Steve Wilks with three games remaining in the season and brought in Brian Duker in January to oversee the defensive unit, though Glenn announced he will handle play-calling duties this upcoming season.

The safety position was anticipated to be a priority for the Jets during free agency, with rookie Malachi Moore being the only player on the current roster with substantial experience at the position. Both Andre Cisco and Tony Adams, who have served as starters, are expected to enter free agency.

Throughout his career, Fitzpatrick has recorded 21 interceptions, though he managed just one pick in 14 appearances last season with Miami.

This transaction occurs on the same day Miami announced its decision to part ways with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. The organization revealed that Tagovailoa, who served as the primary starter for the past five and a half seasons, will be released.