First, new Miami Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan handled Tua Tagovaila. Then, he found a trade for safety Minkah Fitzpatrick.
After Sullivan couldn’t find a trade partner for the services of Tagovailoa and released the former franchise quarterback in the hours before NFL free agency kicked off at noon Monday, he found a deal for Fitzpatrick.
The Dolphins are sending Fitzpatrick within the AFC East to the rival New York Jets for a 2026 seventh-round pick, originally owned by the Los Angeles Chargers, according to league sources.
With the Jets, Fitzpatrick is locking in a three-year, $40 million deal, according to agent Drew Rosenhaus. That helps the Dolphins’ cap situation, giving them more than $10 million in cap space.
It’s the second time the Dolphins trade Fitzpatrick, 29, after they selected him with the No. 11 pick in the 2018 draft out of Alabama.
In 2019, Miami got a first-round pick out of a deal that sent him to the Pittsburgh Steelers amid a massive rebuild that season. Fitzpatrick made five Pro Bowls and earned three All-Pro honors in Pittsburgh before the Steelers shipped him back to Miami last July. He and a 2027 fifth-round pick went to the Dolphins for a 2027 seventh-rounder, cornerback Jalen Ramsey and tight end Jonnu Smith.
In 2025, Fitzpatrick had 82 tackles, a sack, an interception, forced fumble and two fumble recoveries. He also had an impressive interception returned the other way for 2 points on a key 2-point conversion attempt in last November’s win over the New Orleans Saints.
For Fitzpatrick, it’s a homecoming as the Old Bridge, New Jersey native who attended St. Peter’s Prep will now be playing his home games at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
The Dolphins now have nine picks in the coming draft with the acquisition of the extra late selection from the trade.
This story will be updated.