Miami Dolphins overhaul their defense in July 2025, trading for Minkah Fitzpatrick and signing Mike Hilton. See how these moves create a new 'No-Fly Zone'.
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
The Miami Dolphins sent shockwaves through the league on Monday, executing a dramatic and aggressive overhaul of their secondary. In a flurry of moves, the team traded for star safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, signed veteran blitzing specialist Mike Hilton, and added cornerback Jack Jones, signaling a clear intent to build a championship-caliber defense for the 2025 season.
Minkah Fitzpatrick's new deal includes a $16.245 million signing bonus, a clear signal of the team's massive investment in their revamped defense.
The defensive backfield in Miami Gardens will look drastically different this fall. The centerpiece is Minkah Fitzpatrick, acquired from the Steelers in a blockbuster trade that sent Jalen Ramsey to Pittsburgh. To make the move work, the Dolphins immediately restructured Fitzpatrick's contract, handing him a $16.245 million signing bonus and creating crucial cap flexibility for 2025. They weren't done there, adding former Bengals DB Mike Hilton on a one-year deal. Hilton's reputation as one of the league's best blitzing corners (11.5 career sacks) brings a new dimension of aggression. The addition of veteran corner Jack Jones completes a trio of moves that transforms a potential weakness into a formidable strength.
While the secondary grabbed the headlines, the front office also solidified its long-term core. The team officially exercised the fifth-year options for two of its brightest young stars: wide receiver Jaylen Waddle and linebacker Jaelan Phillips. Securing both players through the 2025 season ensures that key playmakers on both sides of the ball remain in Miami. This move demonstrates a balanced approach, pairing aggressive veteran acquisitions with a commitment to homegrown talent.
The NFL clearly expects big things from this revamped Dolphins squad. For the second straight year, Miami has been awarded five prime-time games, a significant vote of confidence despite last season's 8-9 finish. The schedule presents a unique challenge: a four-game home stand that includes an international game in Spain against the Washington Commanders, followed immediately by a bye week. How the team handles this unusual stretch could define their season, which concludes with critical late-season matchups against AFC contenders Pittsburgh and Cincinnati.
Let's not forget the new offensive weapons added in the draft. The Dolphins injected pure speed into their backfield with Tennessee running back Jaylen Wright, who posted a blistering 7.4 yards per carry average in college. To protect their investments, they also drafted massive offensive tackle Patrick Paul from Houston. These rookies are expected to provide immediate depth and explosive potential, rounding out a roster that has been aggressively retooled on all fronts.
With a completely retooled secondary, foundational pieces locked in for the future, and a schedule built for the national stage, the message from the Dolphins' front office is clear: the time to win is now. All eyes will be on Miami to see if this aggressive offseason overhaul can finally translate into the deep playoff run that has eluded them.
