There’s a legitimate chance that Minkah Fitzpatrick’s second tenure as a Miami Dolphin lasts only one season.
After a report surfaced that the Dolphins have begun to shop the star safety, general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan said “everything’s on the table” when it comes to Fitzpatrick.
“Everything’s on the table when it comes to Minkah,” Sullivan said Tuesday, calling him “a very good player in this league.” Sullivan added that he’s already engaged in talks with Fitzpatrick and his representation. “That could go a lot of different directions as we move forward.”
Why is this notable? Sullivan used the same verbiage to describe the situation surrounding Tua Tagovailoa, the former franchise quarterback who could very well be traded or cut on June 1.
For what it’s worth, however, Fitzpatrick’s agent Drew Rosenhaus recently told WSVN 7 that his client hasn’t requested a trade.
“Minkah himself has not gone to the Dolphins and said he wants to be traded,” Rosenhaus said. “If there were to be a trade, that would be based on other factors, but we have not gone to the Dolphins and said he wants to play for a contender or that he would want to leave.”
Still, a trade would make sense. Fitzpatrick, who will be 30 in November, likely wouldn’t want to participate in a rebuild, something that’s certainly in the future for the Dolphins considering the uncertainty at quarterback and cap constraints. In addition, a Fitzpatrick trade would create roughly $5.9 million in cap space if it occurs before June 1.
The question then becomes what’s Fitzpatrick’s value. In late June, Miami landed the three-time All-Pro along with a fifth-round pick from the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for Jonnu Smith, Jalen Ramsey and a seventh-round pick.
In 2025, Fitzpatrick finished with one interception as well as six pass deflections, 82 combined tackles and one sack.
DOLPHINS DRAFT STRATEGY
As of this writing, the Dolphins have eight picks in the 2026 NFL Draft.
They are as follows: No. 11 (Round 1), No. 43 (Round 2), No. 75 (Round 3), No. 87 (Round 3), No. 90 (Round 3), No. 111 (Round 4), No. 149 (Round 5) and No. 227 (Round 7).
A quick analysis of the cap as well as the 30 unrestricted and restricted free agents show one thing: maybe it wouldn’t be smart to trade up. Sullivan certainly agreed.
“The more likely scenario is that we would be looking to move back and get picks,” Sullivan said, even invoking the name of Green Bay Packers legendary general manager. “That’s the Ted Thompson in me. The more swings at the bat you have, the better chance you have to hit.”
Sullivan later laid it out quite plainly.
“Look at our roster: we need picks,” Sullivan said before giving the caveat that “you never know what situation’s going to present itself.”
The Dolphins, however, need more than just picks. In fact, they need players who can contribute almost immediately considering the wealth of roster holes.
“The way I was raised in this thing — and it doesn’t always work out — your first through four rounds, the expectation is they come in, and they’re starters at some point in the next two to three years,” Sullivan said.
WHO TALKED TO THE DOLPHINS?
A number of NFL Combine invitees have met with the Dolphins.
That list includes several edge rushers including Miami’s Rueben Bain Jr., Auburn’s Keldric Faulk, Western Michigan’s Nadame Tucker and Oklahoma’s Marvin Jones.
“When I walked in the room, they were just welcoming,” Faulk said of the Dolphins staff. “We had a good laugh in there, and then they just really wanted to know more about me as a person.”
The son of FSU’s Butkus Award-winner Marvin Jones Sr. and a graduate of Plantation American Heritage, Jones said he would love the opportunity to return to home.
“That would definitely be a blessing to go back home and play football down there,” Jones said.