The Miami Dolphins are in the middle of rebuilding because they have not been performing well. They currently have a 2-7 record, and things are not going in their favor at all. The team’s playoff hopes are almost gone. With the NFL trade deadline approaching, the least they can do is make the most out of it.
As rumors have it, they are currently looking to trade their 2018 NFL Draft first-round pick, yet again. The 11th overall pick of that season, Minkah Fitzpatrick, has been a part of the Pittsburgh Steelers for more time in his career than he was with the Dolphins. Fitzpatrick has just returned to the Miami Dolphins, but may be leaving again after just a short reunion.
Will Minkah Fitzpatrick Be Leaving Miami Yet Again?
Miami has lost seven games and only won two this season. They are ranked third in the AFC East division, only ahead of the New York Jets. The Dolphins rank 30th and receive a D grade in PFSN’s Defense Impact metric. If Fitzpatrick does get traded, Dante Trader Jr. could become the new safety for Miami.
NFL insider Jordan Schultz posted on X, “Sources: The #Dolphins have been open to trading 5x Pro Bowl S Minkah Fitzpatrick, and there has been interest from multiple teams. Miami already traded Jaelan Phillips to the Eagles on Monday morning for a 3rd-round pick.”
Sources: The #Dolphins have been open to trading 5x Pro Bowl S Minkah Fitzpatrick, and there has been interest from multiple teams.
Miami already traded Jaelan Phillips to the Eagles on Monday morning for a 3rd-round pick. pic.twitter.com/LdnropSlKW
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) November 3, 2025
While trading off a first-round pick after just one season is unlikely, there was some drama attached to Fitzpatrick’s trade. In 2019, it was reported that there were disagreements with the head coach at the time, Brian Flores.
Fitzpatrick was asked to play other positions that he wasn’t comfortable playing. This made the trade happen; he asked for it. They wanted him to play linebacker, cornerback, and safety, but he felt his skills fit best as a safety.
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Fitzpatrick signed a four-year, $73.6M contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers, which included a $17.5M signing bonus and $36M guaranteed. That put his average earnings at about $18M per season, which is one of the highest-paid salaries for a safety.
He currently has a little over $4.5M in cap hit for Miami, so if traded, the Dolphins would have room for more rookies. The Dolphins could get what they need for the rebuild if they trade Fitzpatrick away.
Fitzpatrick stayed in Pittsburgh for six straight seasons but recently returned to Miami, his first home team. He always seems to return to Miami; his family lives there, so that must be his preferred place to play.
Fitzpatrick was traded back to the Dolphins in 2025 because things weren’t going well in Pittsburgh, and the Steelers thought it was time to get some good trades for the veteran safety. Finally back in Miami, Fitzpatrick was happy to be back. But it seems fate has other plans.