The Dolphins reportedly shopping star safety Minkah Fitzpatrick
Minkah Fitzpatrick could potentially play elsewhere in 2026.
The Miami Dolphins have reportedly shopped the star safety, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz.
This comes days after the Dolphins released four players, most notably wide receiver Tyreek Hill and edge rusher Bradley Chubb. With the current state of the roster, Fitzpatrick’s potential exit would make sense considering he turns 30 in November and likely doesn’t want to rebuild.
In his first season back in the aqua and orange since 2019, Fitzpatrick snagged one interception as well as had six pass deflections, 82 combined tackles and the first sack of his illustrious career. Arguably his best play of the year came when he recorded a pick-two that essentially sealed the 21-17 victory over the New Orleans Saints.
“That’s just the name of the game, the name of playing defense,” Fitzpatrick said. “No matter how many times that we’re called upon, we’ve got to go out there and make stops. I think really good defenses, whenever there’s a change in possession or a turnover, they play really good defense during those next plays.”
Added Fitzpatrick: “I’ve just been trying to do my job at a high level, be in the right position, look at the right things.”
The Dolphins initially select Fitzpatrick with the No. 11 pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. A disagreement on position led the former Alabama standout to be dealt to the Pittsburgh Steelers midway through the following season.
Fitzpatrick blossomed during his six seasons with the Steelers, racking up five Pro Bowls and three All-Pros. He also accumulated 18 interceptions, 45 pass breakups and 516 total tackles.
In the 2025 offseason, the Steelers traded Fitzpatrick back to Miami in exchange for defensive back Jalen Ramsey, tight end Jonnu Smith and a pick swap. He suited up 15 games before a calf injury kept him out the final two matchups of the season. During his second stint with the Dolphins, Fitzpatrick emerged as leader in the locker room, especially to younger players like Dante Trader Jr.
“Minkah is definitely another coach out there, especially for me every drive,” the then-rookie safety said in late December. “I talked to him before the game. He asked me some of the things, the focus, the emphasis before the game and some of the things that we talked about was just like zone, eyes and recognition. Being able to get into the right spots in zone, just having clean eyes in certain places, so just having the ability to have him, even when he’s not playing, to have him coach and then on the field, there are lessons in every play.”
If the Dolphins ultimately elect to deal Fitzpatrick elsewhere, it will be up to Trader and whomever else gets signed during free agency to man the safety spots. The 2025 fifth-round pick certainly proved himself, starting three games this past season yet appearing in all 17. Trader finished the season with 55 combined tackles, a forced fumble and a pass deflection.
This story was originally published February 18, 2026 at 3:07 PM.
