Minkah Fitzpatrick landing spots: Steelers reunion, Cowboys among logical teams

In addition to Tyreek Hill and Bradley Chubb, the Miami Dolphins’ roster purge may also include safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, as Miami has reportedly had talks with other teams about a possible trade involving the former All-Pro safety. 

A former Dolphins first-round pick, Fitzpatrick was traded back to Miami last year following a highly productive six-year run with the Pittsburgh Steelers. During his time in Pittsburgh, Fitzpatrick earned five Pro Bowl and three All-Pro nods while becoming one of the league’s top safeties. 

Versatility became one of Fitzpatrick’s main calling cards in Pittsburgh. After being a turnover machine during his first two seasons with the Steelers, circumstances outside of his control forced Fitzpatrick to be used more as a run-stuffer in 2021. Fitzpatrick embraced his new role, which led to a career-high 124 tackles, two interceptions, a forced fumble and a recovered fumble. 

In 2022, he earned his first of three straight Pro Bowl nods after leading the league with six interceptions. Last season, he filled the stat sheet with 82 tackles, one sack, two fumble recoveries, a forced fumble and an interception for defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver, who is now in that same role with the Baltimore Ravens. 

Here are several logical landing spots should the Dolphins decide to either trade or release Fitzpatrick, who has one year remaining on his current contract. 

Patriots 

New England may be in the market for a new free safety if Jaylinn Hawkins signs with someone else when free agency begins next month. 

In Fitzpatrick, the defending AFC champions would be getting a talented defender who could complement cornerback Christian Gonzalez and cornerback Craig Woodson. Another benefit here is that Fitzpatrick is familiar with inside linebacker Robert Spillane stemming from their years together in Pittsburgh. 

New England’s defense was largely exceptional last year, but one area where they struggled at times was in the red zone (they ranked 30th in the league in that area during the regular season). This is where Fitzpatrick’s ability as a ballhawk and run-stuffer could really come in handy. 

The big question here is whether the Dolphins would be willing to trade Fitzpatrick to a divisional foe. They probably wouldn’t unless the Patriots made them an offer they couldn’t refuse. 

Cowboys 

Dallas is an obvious possible landing spot for Fitzpatrick, given how bad the Cowboys were on defense last year and Jerry Jones’ compulsive behavior when it comes to making headlines. Adding to this possibility are rumblings that free safety Malik Harrison could become a salary cap casualty. 

If they were to acquire Fitzpatrick, the Cowboys would simultaneously improve their run and pass defenses. It may also benefit George Pickens, who had several notable practice battles with Fitzpatrick during their time together in Pittsburgh. 

The Cowboys make even more sense given new defensive coordinator Christian Parker’s implementation of the 3-4, an alignment in which Fitzpatrick flourished during his time with the Steelers.

49ers

In this scenario, Fitzpatrick would get a chance to play with new 49ers defensive coordinator Raheem Morris, who has coached several talented safeties during his career, most recently Atlanta’s Jessie Bates III. 

While injuries may have been the 49ers’ biggest Achilles heel in 2025, their pass defense was a major issue as well. During the regular season, San Francisco was 25th in the NFL in pass defense, 21st in touchdown passes allowed and 29th in interceptions forced. Fitzpatrick’s arrival would help improve those numbers while making the 49ers better equipped to deal with divisional foes Matthew Stafford, Sam Darnold and Kyler Murray. 

Rams

It’s conceivable to think that Fitzpatrick would be the difference in helping the Rams leapfrog the newly crowned champion Seattle Seahawks as the NFL’s best team. Seattle lost its first game against Los Angeles last year before winning its last two games on the strength of some clutch passes from Darnold. 

While they have some talented defensive backs, the Rams lack speed and experience in that area. Fitzpatrick would fill both of those voids while giving defensive coordinator Chris Shula another proven commodity alongside emerging stars Jared Verse, Byron Young, Kamren Curl and Quentin Lake. 

Steelers

In Pittsburgh, Fitzpatrick would not only be reunited with Cameron Heyward and T.J. Watt, but he would also get the chance to play alongside Jalen Ramsey, who came to Pittsburgh last summer as part of the trade that sent Fitzpatrick to Miami. 

The thought then was that Ramsey would help fill Fitzpatrick’s void at safety, but that plan fell through after injuries decimated the Steelers’ secondary. If Fitzpatrick returned to Pittsburgh, that would give the Steelers — on paper — a pretty formidable defensive backfield that would also include veteran safety DeShon Elliott (who is returning from a season-ending injury) and cornerback Joey Porter Jr., who is coming off his best season to date. 

A major roadblock in this scenario is that NFL teams cannot trade a player back to his previous team within two years of that trade. That means that the Steelers could only acquire Fitzpatrick if he is released by the Dolphins, which appears unlikely. 

Bears/Vikings/Lions 

These teams were lumped together because each one needs help at safety despite already having established veterans in place. The Bears have Kevin Byard, who led the NFL last season with seven interceptions. The Vikings momentarily still have 37-year-old Harrison Smith, who is set to become a free agent next month. The Lions have former All-Pro Kerby Joseph, who is coming off a knee injury that cut his 2025 season short after six games. 

Of these teams, the Vikings make the most sense given Smith’s age and his impending free agency. 

Commanders/Jets

These teams are combined because they are also in similar positions. While both teams are in desperate need of help in their defensive backfields, they are coming off dreadful 2025 seasons. Would Fitzpatrick agree to be traded to a bad team at this stage of his career? If he were, he’d likely be more inclined to go to Washington as the Commanders are just two years removed from an NFC title game appearance. They also have a proven defensive-minded head coach in Dan Quinn.