3-Time All-Pro Is Available for the Vikings, But There’s An Asterisk
The new regime of the Miami Dolphins has just released several expensive players for salary cap savings purposes and they aren’t wasting any time reshaping the roster. One name surfacing in trade discussions is safety Minkah Fitzpatrick.
NFL reporter Jordan Schultz revealed on Wednesday, “Sources: The Dolphins have had trade talks with teams regarding 5x Pro Bowl S Minkah Fitzpatrick. Miami released four players earlier this week, including Tyreek Hill, and is in the early stages of resetting the roster under a new regime.”
Fitzpatrick is widely regarded as one of the league’s top safeties and the Vikings could use one of those after last year’s exit of Cam Bynum and Harrison Smith’s likely retirement this year. At this point, the safety room has one clear starter in Joshua Metellus and rotational-caliber players Jay Ward and Theo Jackson.
The defender is a three-time first-team All-Pro and a five-time Pro Bowler. At 29, Fitzpatrick should have some gas left in the tank. Still, the projected trade costs aren’t massive by any means. Bleacher Report assembled a list of possible trades for him, and while the Vikings aren’t listed, a 3rd-rounder could get the deal done in their eyes.
Fitzpatrick is signed for one more season and is likely looking for an extension after a trade. That, however, increases the flexibility for the Vikings to spread his salary into future years and limit the hit on this year’s salary cap.
The 2018 1st-rounder is just coming off a strong season, posting a 5th-ranked PFF grade of 81.8. Only his 2022 campaign was stronger.
Fitzpatrick already brings some familiarity to the table. He started his NFL career in Miami, where he crossed paths with Brian Flores. Unfortunately, that relationship hasn’t always been the best.
In 2019, Flores’ first season as a head coach, the Dolphins were a laughing stock early in the season. Coming off a 59-10 blowout loss, Fitzpatrick requested a trade, one week into his second season in the NFL and not even 17 months after costing the Dolphins the 11th overall pick.
Chris Perkins of The Athletic commented back then, “Fitzpatrick, who sought to trademark the nickname FitzMagic last season, confirmed Friday he has asked for a trade. Fitzpatrick is frustrated he’s being required to play strong safety instead of nickel/slot cornerback.”
Flores has been a master at deploying his safeties in versatile roles. Metellus has elevated his pedigree from special-teams ace and backup to borderline Pro Bowler under Flores’ guidance. Bynum has gotten a significant payday last offseason and Harrison Smith has frequently praised the DC’s scheme.
Perkins continued, “Fitzpatrick, listed at 207 pounds, excelled last year as a rookie playing slot/nickel cornerback. He posted 80 tackles, fourth on the team, and two interceptions along with one touchdown, a 50-yard return at Minnesota. This season, under Flores and defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, Fitzpatrick has been down in the box to provide run support and largely defend tight ends against the pass, a job held in previous seasons by the hard-hitting, 220-pound Reshad Jones.”
A few days later, Fitzpatrick was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a 1st-round pick. Both teams also exchanged some day-three draft capital.
But that’s not the end of the story. Guess who was an assistant coach with the Steelers in 2022 after the Dolphins showed him the door? Flores suddenly joined Fitzpatrick in Pittsburgh.
The player had high praise when asked about his former coach, though: “Coach [Flores], he’s a great coach. He’s a smart guy. He’s a guy that lives to a high standard, and he’s a piece that I think we really needed. He’s a real detail-oriented guy, detail-oriented coach. He’s not a guy that’s going to let things be brushed to the side, he’s going to address them, he’s going to be direct. He might not tell you exactly how you want to hear it, but he’s going to tell you.”
“That’s important to have in the locker room when you have guys that may have egos and what not. He’s going to get on you. He’s a great coach. I’m excited to have him. He’s focused and locked in on winning, and if that’s what his goal is, I’m happy to have him here.”
If Fitzpatrick came to the Twin Cities, he would have to play a role Flores envisions for him. That could, of course, be a different one than he wanted the former Alabama standout to play in Miami and that led to their divorce.
Ultimately, any potential move would hinge on scheme fit and Flores’ vision for the safety role and the duo’s relationship. The Vikings clearly need another high-end defensive cornerstone, but this is one case where talent alone might not be the deciding factor.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports Reference helped with this article.