Jets' most unexpected re-signing may hint at Minkah Fitzpatrick's role

The New York Jets waited until Friday to make what might very well be their most unexpected move of the offseason so far, reportedly agreeing to terms on a new deal for safety Andre Cisco.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Friday evening that the Jets had re-signed Cisco to a one-year deal worth a maximum of $5.25 million. The real numbers of this contract make it clear that this is likely little more than a depth move, however.

SNY's Connor Hughes confirmed that Cisco's contract is worth $2.5 million with just $1.25 million in guarantees. Hughes is reporting that the Jets are "still high" on the 25-year-old safety and that Cisco can provide competition and depth at a very reasonable price.

But perhaps more importantly, the decision to bring back Cisco could further hint at the team's plans for the newly acquired Minkah Fitzpatrick — plans that he himself hinted at earlier this week.

What does the Andre Cisco re-signing tell us about the Jets' Minkah Fitzpatrick plans?

Fitzpatrick told reporters earlier this week that he envisions himself playing as a slot defender with the Jets this season, similar to how the Dolphins deployed him in 2025. That makes sense given the additions of defensive coordinator Brian Duker and safeties coach Ryan Slowik to Aaron Glenn's staff.

Duker and Slowik coached Fitzpatrick in Miami last season and will likely look to use him in a similar chess-piece-style role, one that won't just limit him to playing as a traditional safety.

The Jets also signed former Giants safety Dane Belton and still have 2025 fourth-round rookie Malachi Moore on the roster, but neither projects as a traditional free or post safety. If Fitzpatrick weren’t playing that role, the Jets would have had no clear option to fill it. That is, of course, until they re-signed Cisco.

Cisco gives the Jets an archetype of player they didn't really have in their secondary and strongly hints that they wanted to give themselves extra flexibility to move Fitzpatrick around on defense.

Re-signing Cisco doesn't necessarily mean the Jets can't triple-dip and add another safety at some point in the 2026 NFL Draft, possibly as high as the top-50. The lack of guarantees in his contract means that he probably isn't even someone who should be considered a roster lock at this stage.

But he does give the Jets increased draft flexibility at a position of need, one that becomes even more important if the plan is to use Fitzpatrick more as that roaming nickel defender rather than a traditional free safety.