Minkah Fitzpatrick has arrived in Florham Park to be the new face of the New York Jets’ secondary.
Mere hours before the opening of the 2026 legal tampering window, New York got the ball rolling on a massive defensive overhaul by trading a seventh-round pick to the Miami Dolphins for Fitzpatrick, a three-time All-Pro safety.
It was quickly reported that Fitzpatrick agreed to sign a new three-year, $40 million contract with the Jets. Now, we have the full details of that contract.
According to Aaron Wilson, Fitzpatrick’s deal is for three years and $39.5 million with $20.5 fully guaranteed.
The deal includes a $7.5 million signing bonus. Fitzpatrick will have base salaries of $5.5 million, $13 million, and $12.5 million over the next three seasons (2026-28). The contract also includes void years in 2029 and 2030.
Fitzpatrick’s guaranteed money comprises his $7.5 million signing bonus, $5.5 million base salary in 2026, and $7 million of his base salary in 2027.
According to Spotrac, Fitzpatrick’s contract also includes a $29,411 per-game active bonus, which would add up to $500,000 over 17 games. That would bring his total contract value up from $39.5 million to the $40 million that was initially reported.
Also, per Spotrac, Fitzpatrick’s cap hits are as follows:
- 2026: $7.4 million
- 2027: $15 million
- 2028: $14.5 million
- 2029: $3 million (void)
The Jets are essentially tied to Fitzpatrick through the 2027 season. They could technically release him in 2027 if things go drastically haywire, but the Jets would net just $2 million in savings while owing $13 million in dead money.
It’s in 2028 when the Jets will have a realistic opportunity to escape the contract. That year, they can dump Fitzpatrick to save $10 million in cap space while eating just $4.5 million in dead money.
Overall, this contract is an excellent value for a three-time All-Pro safety who still ranked among the league’s best players at his position in 2025.
