Jets linked to rare inter-division trade thanks to new DC Brian Duker

The New York Jets have plenty of needs to fill this offseason. Luckily, they're flush with the resources to make any kind of addition they need.

Over the Cap projects the Jets to have around $88.7 million in cap space after the Jermaine Johnson trade, and New York has all the premier draft capital in the world to make any deal they would want. But that doesn't mean they can be irresponsible; they have to spend wisely.

General manager Darren Mougey has shown he's a willing and savvy trader, whether it's last offseason's moves for a pair of new defensive tackles or the 2025 trade deadline, Mougey isn't afraid of taking swings on the trade market.

To fill one of the Jets' biggest holes this offseason, he could once again dip back into the trade market to find a starter who has previous ties with New York's newest defensive coordinator.

Rich Cimini links Jets to trade for Dolphins safety Minkah Fitzpatrick

ESPN's Rich Cimini believes the Jets could try to make a trade with a division rival, the Miami Dolphins, for safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. With the Dolphins entering a new era under GM Jon-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley, Miami may be looking to clean up the books this offseason and cut ties with faces from the previous regime.

"One name to watch is Miami Dolphins safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, who reportedly is available for trade. New Jets defensive coordinator Brian Duker was the Dolphins' passing-game coordinator, so he's familiar with Fitzpatrick."

Rich Cimini

Thanks to Brian Duker's prior relationship with Fitzpatrick, a partnership could make sense given the Jets' desperate need for a body at safety. According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the Dolphins have been engaged in trade talks with multiple teams regarding the five-time Pro Bowl defensive back.

New York's starters from 2025, Andre Cisco and Tony Adams, are set to test free agency. 2025 fourth-round pick Malachi Moore played well throughout parts of last season, but the Jets desperately need a veteran playing alongside him.

Enter Fitzpatrick, who could help jumpstart a Jets secondary that struggled to generate turnovers throughout 2025, to say the least. Over his eight-year career, the former Alabama star has recorded 21 interceptions and six forced fumbles for the Dolphins and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Trading for Fitzpatrick may not cost all that much either. He's entering the final year of a four-year $73.6 million contract extension signed with the Steelers in 2022. Given he's due for a new contract and the Dolphins' dire need to free up cap space, they may be more than willing to part with him.

In projecting trades for Fitzpatrick, Bleacher Report listed combinations of a 2026 third-round pick and a late Day 3 pick for his services. That makes sense, given the former first-round pick's illustrious career as a three-time All-Pro, but it's also possible that the Dolphins will have to end up outright cutting Fitzpatrick.

Their cap situation is too messy, and opposing teams know that. GMs may just sit on their hands waiting for Miami to get desperate for the $2.5 million they would free up by releasing Fitzpatrick, including Mougey.