Dave Hyde: Dolphins pass important test with Minkah Fitzpatrick deal

Dave Hyde, South Florida Sun Sentinel on Jul 28, 2025

Published in Football

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Minkah Fitzpatrick was a stability test for the Miami Dolphins, and they passed it. That’s a new conclusion than recent years. They actually passed this test of temptation.

They emerged from a contractual dust-up with an important player looking smarter and more disciplined than just last year. They didn’t throw an open checkbook at Fitzpatrick as they seemed to randomly and constantly to Tyreek Hill, Jalen Ramsey, Tua Tagovailoa, Jaylen Waddle …

Did they learn money doesn’t buy happiness — or health, loyalty, professionalism, punctuality, accountability or a playoff win?

Maybe they learned all that. But Sunday’s deal is just the continuation of salary capologist Bandon Shore getting a larger voice since last season to get their accounting in order, a source said. That’s important whether this season succeeds or fails.

Someone is protecting the organization in a manner no one did in recent years. That cost them not just because of Ramsey’s and Hill’s culture-busting habits, but when Ramsey’s redone, mega-contract had to be dumped.

The Dolphins had to throw in tight end Jonnu Smith just to make the Pittsburgh trade work for Fitzpatrick.

A mini-mystery about Fitzpatrick looks finished with Sunday’s news of his deal, too. He practiced in minicamp. He played well in the sand box with teammates. But scheduled interviews were oddly scratched.

Fitzpatrick hadn’t talked to the media or fans about his returning to the franchise he once demanded to leave or his thoughts on Pittsburgh dumping him after five Pro Bowls in six years.

Now we know why. He wanted a little more money. And he got a little. Sort of. Which gets into why this works so creatively well for the Dolphins, too.

Fitzpatrick didn’t get any new dollars or additional years to the two-year, $31 million owed him. That’s important. It means the Dolphins didn’t cave into another player with some age, questions and multiple years left on his contract.

Fitzpatrick got $2 million moved up this year that was due in 2026. He also got the $16.5 million due this year changed to a signing bonus — a costless win for both sides in that the Dolphins get 11 million salary-cap dollars to spend (or not).

So, Fitzpatrick got something. The Dolphins also didn’t invest in a safety turning 29 this season who is coming off an unsteady year or two in Pittsburgh.

Is Fitzpatrick’s career rejuvenated at the place he demanded to leave in 2019? That’s the hope. What if Pittsburgh saw something up close in his deteriorating numbers other teams can’t? Well, the contract at least isn’t a major issue.

This continues the Dolphins’ changed philosophy since the end of last season of getting their salary cap in order. No crazy free-agent spending. A renewed belief in the draft with its younger (and cheaper) players.

The next test is if they can hold this new financial line and still do necessary business with Zach Sieler. Or are they just against all big deals?

Sieler’s situation got a sideshow last week. Dolphins general manager Chris Grier was applauded some for not signing Christian Wilkins to a big deal when he should have the year before free agency. Wilkins suffered an early injury in Las Vegas and was released last week.

But if you argue that, then you argue not to sign Sieler, too. Sieler is the investment you make, though.

He’s entering the last year of his contract — the time to do a deal before free agency beckons. He was a force last season and is a pro’s pro and the only impactful interior lineman right now.

Sieler also turned 30 this year, but at a position that ages more favorably than speed positions. Whether the Dolphins win or lose this year, they’ll still want Sieler next year. You know who he is, how he’ll help a team.

Some around the team, like departed running back Raheem Mostert, say the Dolphins didn’t pay their good players. That’s not true. They paid Tagovailoa, Waddle and re-did Hill when it wasn’t necessary.

None of those contracts looked good last year. Tagovailoa missing six starts to health continued the big concern. His joining the $50-million-a-year quarterback club means the Dolphins have to be smarter in personnel and contracts in building the roster.

They looked smarter Sunday. They gave Fitzpatrick some upfront money and a dozen yellow roses. It was a test to see if the Dolphins’ new way of financial smarts has taken full hold.

Notably, they passed it.

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