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Jets Strike Rare Trade With Dolphins for All-Pro, Immediately Sign Extension

Minkah Fitzpatrick, Dolphins

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Former Miami Dolphins defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick trying to make a play during an NFL game against the New York Jets.

The New York Jets have made their first splash of the offseason.

According to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter, the Jets have struck a trade with the Miami Dolphins. The Jets are flipping a 2026 seventh-round pick to the Dolphins in exchange for defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick.

As part of the trade, the Jets are immediately signing Fitzpatrick to a new three-year $40 million contract, Schefter added.

The Immediate Details on the Fitzpatrick Jets-Dolphins Trade

Fitzpatrick, 29, is a three-time first-team All-Pro and has been named a Pro Bowler five times.

This new contract is set to pay Fitzpatrick $13.33 million per season. That annual salary places Fitzpatrick No. 13 among the highest-paid safeties in the NFL, per Over The Cap.

ESPN’s Rich Cimini first put this possibility out into the universe in a column he posted on March 1. He said Fitzpatrick is a “name to watch.”

“[Minkah] reportedly is available for trade. New Jets defensive coordinator Brian Duker was the Dolphins’ passing-game coordinator, so he’s familiar with Fitzpatrick,” Cimini explained.

Fitzpatrick Has a Sterling Resume

The former Alabama product first entered the NFL as the No. 11 overall pick in the first round of the 2018 NFL draft.

Across his eight seasons in the NFL, Fitzpatrick has appeared in 120 games and has made 115 starts. The talented defensive back with those opportunities has collected 21 interceptions, 60 pass deflections, 690 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss, six forced fumbles, seven fumble recoveries, and a sack.

Top Social Media Reactions to This Stunner

NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport revealed that the Dolphins “had been shopping” Fitzpatrick around for the “last several days.”

“Had heard last week the Jets were interested in Minkah Fitzpatrick. The former first-round pick is 29. Smart player. Can run the back end of the defense. Familiarity with new DC Brian Duker. Downside: Only two INTs over the last 3 seasons,” ESPN’s Rich Cimini posted on social media.

Rich Cimini

Had heard last week the Jets were interested in Minkah Fitzpatrick. The former first-round pick is 29. Smart player. Can run the back end of the defense. Familiarity with new DC Brian Duker. Downside: Only two INTs over the last 3 seasons. #Jets

This is a developing story and we’ll provide new details as they become available.

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