The Miami Dolphins didn’t give safety Minkah Fitzpatrick a new extension. The veteran is still hoping to get a deal with more years included.
But ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Sunday that the Dolphins and Fitzpatrick agreed to revise his contract to include additional guaranteed money for 2025.
“Dolphins and their recently-acquired safety Minkah Fitzpatrick have agreed to a revised contract, adding a $16.245 million signing bonus to his deal,” Schefter wrote on X. “There had been no guaranteed money left on the contract, and no additional years were added.”
Based on what Fitzpatrick’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, told Schefter, this was likely the first step in the safety securing an extension.
“We are comfortable with this commitment to Minkah as we continue to work with the Dolphins on a multi-year extension,” Rosenhaus told Schefter.
The Dolphins acquired Fitzpatrick, along with a 2027 fifth-round pick, from the Pittsburgh Steelers on June 30. Miami sent cornerback Jalen Ramsey, tight end Jonnu Smith and a 2027 seventh-round selection to Pittsburgh.
Minkah Fitzpatrick Gets Guaranteed Contract for 2025
With the reworked deal, Fitzpatrick’s now has a lot more security — at least in the short term. The safety’s contract didn’t have any guaranteed money remaining before the revision.
Fitzpatrick is under contract through the 2026 season. According to Spotrac, he will now have an $18.849 million cap hit and $12.996 million dead cap hit for next season.
The safety’s cap hit in 2025 will only be $4.5 million.
The Dolphins selected Fitzpatrick at No. 11 overall in the 2018 NFL Draft. They somewhat surprisingly traded him to the Steelers after Week 2 in 2019, which was only his second NFL season.
Miami received a first-round pick in return, but Fitzpatrick went on to become a three-time first-team All-Pro in Pittsburgh. During 2022, the safety was tied for the NFL lead with six interceptions.
With his return to the Dolphins and the addition 2025 guaranteed money, Fitzpatrick appears set to ink a multi-year contract in Miami at some point. That would give him the opportunity to finish his career with the team that drafted him.
Fitzpatrick Set to Provide Dolphins Much-Needed Leadership
Over the past two seasons, Fitzpatrick didn’t have the same impact for the Steelers defense. In November, the safety will turn 29 years old.
It’s possible his best playing days are behind him.
The Dolphins are hoping that’s not the case. But they may also be counting on Fitzpatrick giving the team intangibles as much as production on the field.
“The acquisition of Fitzpatrick came in the midst of a somewhat tumultuous offseason for Miami. Former Pro Bowler Asante Samuel called into question the “backbone” of the Dolphins’ leadership. At the end of the 2024 season, star receiver Tyreek Hill said, “I’m out.” Tua Tagovailoa said Hill is still rebuilding relationships after that,” wrote CBS Sports’ Austin Nivison.
“Can Fitzpatrick’s veteran leadership help ease some of those problems — perceived or real? It seems like that’s what general manager Chris Grier banked on.”
Fitzpatrick was a leader on the Steelers defense almost immediately upon arriving in Pittsburgh. He intercepted five passes and made All-Pro during his first season with the Steelers.
Fitzpatrick also made five Pro Bowls in six seasons with Pittsburgh.
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