The Miami Dolphins are fielding offers for safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, whom the team acquired this summer in the trade that sent Jonnu Smith and Jalen Ramsey to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
According to a source, there’s a “50-50 chance” he’ll be moved before Tuesday’s 4 p.m. deadline, and the veteran safety would be receptive to a trade considering the direction Miami’s headed.
Back in 2019 Fitzpatrick and his agent forced the Dolphins to trade him a month into the season because of how he was being utilized, and the direction the franchise was headed in during Brian Flores’ first season. The Dolphins got a first- and fourth-round pick from the Steelers for Fitzpatrick, who went on to become an NFL star in Pittsburgh.
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) consoles safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (29) after he sustained an injury during a play against the Atlanta Falcons in the second half of their NFL game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025, in Atlanta, Ga. Photo by Matias J. Ocner mocner@miamiherald.com
Ironically, this 2025 team is no better than that 2019 team, which finished the season 5-11.
Fitzpatrick, who has contributed 50 tackles, one interception and recovered one fumble in the nine games, has played free safety and nickel cornerback for the Dolphins in his return to the team that initially drafted him 11th overall in the 2018 NFL Draft.
According to NFL sources, the Dolphins will have an open dialogue about most of the team’s roster because the franchise is 2-7 heading into Sunday’s home game against the Buffalo Bills, and the dismissal of Chris Grier as the team’s general manager hints that Miami’s embarking on yet another rebuild.
On Monday the Dolphins moved pass rusher Jaelan Phillips, the team’s 2021 first-round pick, to the Philadelphia Eagles for a third-round pick, and according to reports the Dolphins covered a large portion of the $6.2 million Phillips had remaining of his fifth-year option, which was worth $13.2 million.
The Dolphins are also expected to listen to offers for fellow pass rusher Bradley Chubb, who might also be moved for a draft pick, and possibly cornerback Rasul Douglas, who was acquired a week before the regular season started and turned into one of the team’s top performers. However, neither Chubb, nor Douglas could command the type of trade asset Phillips brought.
Trading Fitzpatrick could be tricky because safety isn’t necessarily a position that is in high demand, and the franchise recently restructured Fitzpatrick’s contract, changing his 2026 salary to $15.6 million. However, none of it is guaranteed, so Fitzpatrick could be released before 2026 and his full salary would turn into available cap space.
Champ Kelly was named the Dolphins’ interim general manager, and all deals will go through him. That happens to be the identical role Kelly held last season when he spent his final season with the Las Vegas Raiders.
However, it’s believed that owner Steve Ross has given Kelly his marching orders, which was to position South Florida’s NFL franchise the best he could for the future while the franchise begins its search for Grier’s replacement immediately.
“We must improve — in 2025, 2026 and beyond — and it needs to start right now,” Ross wrote in a statement released last week. “Our performance on the field and our team-building process have not been good enough. There are no excuses.”
If Miami moves Fitzpatrick, a five-time Pro Bowler, and three time All-Pro selection, the Dolphins would be doubling down on the team’s belief that rookie Dante Trader Jr. is ready to serve as the lead safety in the secondary.
Miami Dolphins safety Dante Trader Jr. (11) tackles Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry (22) in the first half of an NFL game at Hard Rock Stadium on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. Photo by Matias J. Ocner mocner@miamiherald.com
Trader, a 2025 fifth-round pick, has held a prominent role in eight of the nine games he has played this season, which includes two starts. So far the former Maryland standout has contributed 29 tackles, forced one fumble and recovered another.
However, he has been playing the past few weeks with an injured shoulder, and fellow safeties Ashtyn Davis (quadriceps) and Ifeatu Melifonwu (hand and calf) are both nursing serious injuries. Moving Fitzpatrick would likely force the Dolphins to add another veteran safety.
This story was originally published November 3, 2025 at 11:58 AM.
