Minkah Fitzpatrick contract details make Jets’ trade look even more brilliant

The New York Jets made their first big splash on the first day of free agency, but it wasn't a signing. New York is acquiring Miami Dolphins veteran safety Minkah Fitzpatrick in exchange for a 2027 seventh-round pick, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Fitzpatrick is signing a three-year, $40 million extension with the Jets as he walks through the door, locking him in for the foreseeable future. It's a reunion with New York's defensive coordinator Brian Duker, who was Miami's defensive pass game coordinator last season.

While on the surface it may seem like quite the large contract for a 29-year-old safety with most of his best play behind him, in reality, the Jets are getting quite the steal for the three-time All-Pro defensive back.

His $13.3 million yearly salary makes him the 13th-highest paid safety in the NFL, a relatively cheap contract considering how the rest of the market for the position is about to explode. Darren Mougey once again proves he's got his finger on the pulse.

Minkah Fitzpatrick's new Jets contract looks like a steal

The free-agent safety market is expected to get expensive, with players like the Kansas City Chiefs' Bryan Cook expected to land a four-year, $56.7 million contract, per Spotrac. The Los Angeles Rams just inked in-house free agent Kam Curl to a three-year, $36 million deal.

Not only were the Jets in dire need of a safety, but they got one on a controlled contract that shouldn't impact the rest of their plans for the offseason. They still have roughly $60 million to work with.

In Fitzpatrick, New York gets an established veteran to man the backend of its defense, something it hasn't had in years. He may not immediately help them with their turnover problem; he has only had two interceptions and two forced fumbles over the last two seasons.

But over the eight-year veteran's career, he's certainly proved to be a ball-hawking safety. Since the Dolphins selected him as the 11th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, he's hauled in a total of 21 interceptions, including six in 2022. The Jets are obviously banking on him getting back in touch with his nose for the football.

Regardless, his veteran presence is a welcome addition to New York's defense that was sorely lacking star power, and at that price? It's hard not to love this trade for the Jets.