Source: Jets trade for Minkah Fitzpatrick, add Demario Davis
Minkah Fitzpatrick of the Miami Dolphins against the New York Jets on Sept. 29, 2025. Credit: Getty Images/Megan Briggs
The Jets made a big move for a top safety before the start of free agency and continued to rebuild their defense on Monday.
They acquired three-time All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowler Minkah Fitzpatrick from the Dolphins for a seventh-round pick that had been acquired from the Chargers, an NFL source said. The Jets will sign him to a three-year, $40 million extension.
After legal tampering began at noon, the Jets reached agreements with linebacker Demario Davis, edge rusher Joseph Ossai, defensive tackle David Onyemata, situational edge rusher Kingsley Enagbare and safety Dane Belton, according to the source.
The Jets have to retool a defense that ranked next to last in points allowed last year. They added proven leaders and players from coach Aaron Glenn’s past. Glenn will be calling the defense this season.
Ossai will sign a three-year deal worth $34.5 million ($22.5 million guaranteed). Davis, a Jets third-round pick in 2012, will get a two-year contract for $22 million ($15 million guaranteed). Onyemata and Enagbare each will get a one-year deal for roughly $10 million. Belton, a Giant the past four seasons, will sign a one-year deal for $4 million.
None of these moves can become official until the start of the new league year on Wednesday.
The Jets aren’t done on defense and have plenty to do on offense. They need to address quarterback, receiver and offensive line.
Right guard Alijah Vera-Tucker reportedly is signing with the Patriots. Left guard John Simpson reportedly agreed to a three-year deal with Baltimore. The quarterback chase should pick up on Wednesday when players, including Geno Smith and Kyler Murray, will be released.
The Fitzpatrick trade was the second the Jets have made this offseason. They sent edge rusher Jermaine Johnson to Tennessee for defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat.
Fitzpatrick, 29, will be a leader in the back end and the safety room for second-year player Malachi Moore and now Belton. He also should help the Jets in the takeaway department. They were the first team in NFL history to go a full season without an interception last year.
The former Dolphin and Steeler had 24 takeaways in his first five seasons, including an NFL-leading six interceptions in 2022 with Pittsburgh. Fitzpatrick has had only two picks since then, though.
In 14 games for Miami last season, he had 82 tackles, an interception and two fumble recoveries. His three takeaways were one fewer than the Jets had in 2025.
A New Jersey native, Fitzpatrick reunites with new Jets defensive coordinator Brian Duker, the former Dolphins defensive passing game coordinator and secondary coach.
Davis, 37, will provide much-needed leadership in the middle of the defense in his third tour of duty with the Jets. He spent the past eight seasons with the Saints, three of them while Glenn was on New Orleans’ staff. Davis made two Pro Bowls and was voted first- or second-team All-Pro three times with the Saints. He has had at least 105 tackles for nine straight years.
The Jets were in the market for a "Mike’' linebacker to run Glenn’s defense. They signed Jamien Sherwood to a three-year, $45 million deal last year, but he didn’t have the impact they hoped. Linebacker Quincy Williams reportedly is signing with Cleveland.
Alex Anzalone, who was with Glenn in New Orleans and Detroit, was on the Jets’ radar as well. Anzalone ended up reaching a deal with Tampa Bay.
The Jets also added beef and depth to their front line. They’re expected to play more of a 3-4 base this season.
The 6-4, 263-pound Ossai, 25, fills a need on the opposite side of edge rusher Will McDonald. He started nine games for the Bengals last season, recording five sacks, and totaled 89 tackles, 13 for loss, and 10 sacks in the past two seasons with Cincinnati.
The 6-4, 310-pound Onyemata, 33, has been a full-time starter for the last seven years for the Falcons and Saints, working with Glenn with the latter team. He is a run stuffer who had a career-high 62 tackles last season and has 31 sacks and 49 tackles for loss in 10 NFL seasons.
Enagbare, 26, is a depth piece at edge. He has 146 tackles and 11.5 sacks in four seasons despite playing less than 50% of the snaps for Green Bay.
Belton, who also is a good special teams player, had 120 tackles and an interception for the Giants last season.
3 Things to Know About Minkah Fitzpatrick
1. Decorated safety
Fitzpatrick has been one of the best safeties in the NFL since he was drafted in the first round by Miami in 2018. He was voted an All-Pro three times, made five Pro Bowls and has recorded at least four interceptions in four of his eight seasons. Fitzpatrick only had one last season, which is one more than the Jets had.
2. Veteran leader
Fitzpatrick has been a defensive anchor and leader in the secondary in his time with the Dolphins and Steelers. He was a key player on four Steelers teams that made the playoffs from 2020-2024.
3. He’s coming home
Fitzpatrick is from Old Bridge, New Jersey, and attended St. Peter’s Prep High School in Jersey City. Fitzpatrick was a two-time All-American for Alabama and helped the Crimson Tide to two national championships.
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
