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Miami Gardens Today
By the People, for the People
Jets Acquire All-Pro Defender in Surprise Trade
New York Jets land Minkah Fitzpatrick from Miami Dolphins for a 7th-round pick
Mar. 16, 2026 at 2:04pm
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The New York Jets have made a major move this offseason, acquiring star safety Minkah Fitzpatrick from the Miami Dolphins in exchange for a 7th-round draft pick. Fitzpatrick is coming off one of the best seasons of his career, and the Jets were able to land him for a bargain price as the Dolphins looked to clear his salary during their ongoing rebuild.
Why it matters
The Jets were one of the worst teams in the NFL last season and desperately needed to make significant upgrades to their roster. Acquiring an elite defensive player like Fitzpatrick is a huge coup that instantly improves their secondary and gives them a building block for the future.
The details
The Jets sent a 7th-round pick to the Dolphins in exchange for Fitzpatrick, who they then signed to a 3-year, $40 million contract extension. Fitzpatrick, a former 1st-round pick, is coming off a season where he was the 2nd-highest graded safety in the NFL according to Pro Football Focus.
- The trade was completed just before the start of free agency on March 16, 2026.
The players
Minkah Fitzpatrick
A 25-year-old safety who was a 1st-round pick of the Miami Dolphins in 2018 and has emerged as one of the top defensive backs in the NFL.
New York Jets
An NFL team that is undergoing a major rebuild after finishing as one of the worst teams in the league last season.
Miami Dolphins
An NFL team in the midst of a rebuild, looking to clear salary cap space by trading away veteran players like Fitzpatrick.
What they’re saying
“Fitzpatrick is coming off the second-highest-graded season of his career, so for the Jets to acquire him for just a seventh-round draft pick is a good deal.”
— Gordon McGuinness, PFF Analyst
What’s next
The Jets will look to continue building around Fitzpatrick through the upcoming NFL Draft, where they hold multiple early-round picks.
The takeaway
This trade represents a savvy move by the Jets' front office, acquiring a top-tier defensive player for a minimal cost as they look to quickly rebuild their roster and return to contention in the AFC.
