The New York Jets are adding a key piece to their defense ahead of 2026 NFL free agency.
The Jets have acquired veteran safetyMinkah Fitzpatrickfrom theMiami Dolphinsin exchange for a 2026 seventh-round pick, according toESPN's Adam Schefter.
New York will sign Fitzpatrick to a three-year, $40 million contract extension upon completing the trade.
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WR DJ Moore: Traded to Buffalo Bills (previous team: Chicago Bears)" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 2026 NFL offseason tracker: Player signings, trades
OT Tytus Howard:Traded to Cleveland Browns(previous team: Houston Texans)
Fitzpatrick is an eight-year veteran who started 14 games for the Dolphins last season. The 29-year-old racked up 82 tackles, one interception, six pass defenses and his first-ever sack while grading asPro Football Focus' fifth-best safety among 91 qualifiers.
The Jets had a big need at safety during the offseason, as two of the team's top three safeties in snaps played from 2025,Andre CiscoandTony Adams, are set to be free agents. Fitzpatrick – a five-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro first teamer – will replace and upgrade the duo while serving as a counterpart for fellow Alabama productMalachi Moore, who racked up 101 tackles as a rookie.
Meanwhile, the Dolphins will save just under $5.9 million in cap space by trading Fitzpatrick.
Fitzpatrick has now been traded three times during his NFL career. The Dolphins first sent him to the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2019 for a package including a 2020 first-round draft pick before Pittsburgh sent him back to Miami as part of the package to landJalen RamseyandJonnu Smithduring the 2025 NFL offseason.
The NFL record for times traded during a career is four, a feat shared byBrandin Cooksand Eric Dickerson.
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Minkah Fitzpatrick trade details
S Minkah Fitzpatrick
Dolphins get:
2026 seventh-round pick
Minkah Fitzpatrick contract details
Fitzpatrick was entering the final season of a four-year, $73.6 million contract in 2026 before signing a three-year extension with the Jets. Below is a look at the reported new-money value of his deal:
Term: 3 years
Total contract value: $40 million
Average annual value (AAV): $13.33 million
Fitzpatrick's $13.33 million AAV will rank 13th among NFL safeties ahead of 2026 NFL free agency, perOverTheCap.com.
The Jets will also be on the hook for Fitzpatrick's $15.6 million base salary in 2026, so he will be tied to the team through his age-33 season in 2029.
Minkah Fitzpatrick stats
Below is a look at Fitzpatrick's career stats across eight seasons with the Dolphins and Steelers:
Games: 120
Tackles: 690
TFL: 12
Sacks: 1
Interceptions: 21
Pass defenses: 60
Forced fumbles: 4
(This story will be updated as more information becomes available.)
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Minkah Fitzpatrick trade details: Dolphins, Jets swing deal
