The Miami Dolphins are heading into a pivotal offseason, and one of the biggest question marks centers around veteran safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. Coming off a season where he once again proved to be a steady, high-IQ presence in the secondary, Fitzpatrick’s future in Miami is anything but guaranteed.
On the surface, he looks like exactly the kind of player new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley would love to build around - versatile, experienced, and still playing at a high level. But as is often the case in the NFL, the business side of things can complicate even the best football fits.
The Dolphins are facing a tight cap situation, and with a number of roster decisions looming, Fitzpatrick could find himself on the trade block. It’s not a matter of performance - he’s been dependable on the back end - but rather a matter of dollars and long-term planning. Miami could explore extending Fitzpatrick in a way that lowers his cap hit, but that’s easier said than done when you're juggling multiple big-ticket contracts and trying to stay financially flexible.
That’s just one of many tough calls ahead for new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan. Since taking over the reins, Sullivan has made it clear that he’s not afraid to shake things up - and the numbers behind Miami’s impending free agency overhaul show just how dramatic that shake-up might be. From veterans on the bubble to younger players pushing for bigger roles, the Dolphins are staring down a roster transformation that could redefine the team’s identity in 2026.
One of the more hotly debated topics? The quarterback room.
Despite some outside noise about drafting a QB, Sullivan has pushed back on the idea, suggesting that Miami isn’t necessarily looking to make a splash at the position early in the draft. Whether that means sticking with Tua Tagovailoa long-term or simply avoiding a first-round quarterback this year remains to be seen - but a decision on Tua’s future is expected soon.
Another storyline to watch: Miami holds the No. 11 pick in the upcoming draft, and there’s growing chatter that the team could look to trade back. With needs across the board and a desire to stockpile picks, moving down could make sense - especially if a quarterback-needy team comes calling. The Dolphins have several potential partners if they go that route, and the Combine could be the perfect stage to start those conversations.
Meanwhile, the coaching staff is undergoing a bit of a transformation of its own. Miami has brought in a number of staffers from the Green Bay Packers - a move that’s raised eyebrows among fans. There’s curiosity about how this influx of Green Bay influence will shape the Dolphins’ schemes and culture, but it's clear Sullivan is building a front office and coaching staff in his vision.
With so many moving parts - from Fitzpatrick’s future to potential draft-day trades - the next few weeks will be crucial in determining what the 2026 version of the Miami Dolphins looks like. The Combine may offer some clarity, but one thing's for sure: this offseason is going to be anything but quiet in South Florida.