In the early stages of the NFL offseason, the Miami Dolphins have made a lot of noise after firing head coach Mike McDaniel, replacing him with former Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, and conducting a recent roster breakdown to free up cap space for free agency.
Their decision to cut star receiver Tyreek Hill got a lot of attention, but a new report claims they are on the verge of moving on from another major member of their roster. According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, “the Dolphins have had trade talks with teams regarding five-time Pro Bowl S Minkah Fitzpatrick.”
Miami traded Jalen Ramsey and Jonnu Smith to the Pittsburgh Steelers a year ago to acquire the 2018 first-round pick. However, they clearly would like to move on from the $15 million the 29-year-old will make in 2026.
With that in mind, let’s look at five teams that should target the star safety, including the Las Vegas Raiders.
Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals were a mess on defense this offseason and are about to lose top star Trey Hendrickson. They are sure to make some notable additions to that side of the ball via the NFL Draft. However, they still need meaningful veterans who could lead those youngsters and make plays on the field. If they can free up more cap space, targeting a Fitzpatrick trade could be on Cincy’s radar this offseason.
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears could lose both Jaquan Brisker and Kevin Byard in NFL free agency this spring. If that worst-case scenario came to pass, or if they lost just one, it would not be a surprise if they looked into a Fitzpatrick trade. Chicago seems a couple of impact pieces away from being a serious Super Bowl contender in 2026. The five-time Pro Bowler could be one of those pieces.
Washington Commanders
The Washington Commanders’ defense was terrible this past season. That is why improving their pass rush will be a top priority this offseason. However, getting that sort of high-value addition isn’t easy. Since they struggled to stop big plays last season, it makes sense to also target proven talent in the secondary. Fitzpatrick is one of the most versatile safeties in the game and could be a useful weapon for head coach Dan Quinn.
Las Vegas Raiders
Even with Maxx Crosby on the field, the Las Vegas Raiders’ defense struggled last season. They need help in a lot of places after a 3-14 finish. They also need more proven veterans on both sides of the ball who can make an immediate impact. Because Fitzpatrick can bring so much to a defense, and since Las Vegas will have a lot of available cap space, they should look into a trade for the Dolphins’ safety.
Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans had a rough year in 2025 and finished with a dismal 3-14 record. A key reason why was a defense that was among the worst in the NFL. They need to add some big-name talent to the unit and will have a bunch of cap space to do it this offseason. The pairing of Minkah Fitzpatrick and Amani Hooker could give Tennessee the best safety duo in the game next season.
