What Should the Dolphins Do with Minkah Fitzpatrick?

Miami’s front office faces a pivotal call on standout safety Minkah Fitzpatrick as the 2026 offseason accelerates. Fitzpatrick, described in team circles as “solid” on defense last season, is viewed as an ideal chess piece for new defensive architect Jeff Hafley, yet the franchise’s urgent need to pare salary-cap commitments clouds the picture.

League sources tell the Splash Zone that the Dolphins have begun exploring two divergent paths: gauge trade interest to clear immediate space, or craft a restructured extension that keeps the 27-year-old in aqua and orange without spiking the 2026 cap. Either route would help satisfy the league’s compliance deadline while preserving flexibility for other veteran decisions still pending.

The stakes extend beyond one roster spot. Miami is navigating a broader roster overhaul under first-year general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan, who has already telegraphed a willingness to deal back from the 11th overall pick to accumulate capital. Moving Fitzpatrick could recoup premium draft ammunition, but surrendering a proven multi-year starter also risks weakening a secondary that finished 2025 among the league’s stingiest on third down.

Conversely, an extension structured with a modest first-year cap figure would lock in a defensive tone-setter and allow Sullivan to pursue targeted free-agency additions elsewhere. Negotiations, if they accelerate, are expected to hinge on how much guaranteed money can be pushed into future years without hamstringing the club’s projected cap growth.

With the NFL Combine days away, the Dolphins are expected to use informal meetings with suitors to better define Fitzpatrick’s market value. The feedback gathered in Indianapolis could ultimately determine whether Miami shops its star safety aggressively or moves swiftly to reward him before the new league year opens.