The Miami Dolphins trade for Minkah Fitzpatrick and Darren Waller in July 2025, sending Jalen Ramsey to the Steelers. See how these moves reshape the team.
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
Just when you thought the offseason was settling down, the Miami Dolphins detonated a couple of bombshells. In a whirlwind 48 hours, the team traded for former Pro Bowl tight end Darren Waller and, in a move that has the fan base buzzing, brought safety Minkah Fitzpatrick back to the 305. The cost? Veteran corner Jalen Ramsey and tight end Jonnu Smith are heading to Pittsburgh, but the message from the front office is crystal clear: the time to win is now.
Minkah Fitzpatrick returns to Miami, where he began his career after being traded from the Steelers.
The front office has been busy. First, the Dolphins sent cornerback Jalen Ramsey, tight end Jonnu Smith, and a 2027 seventh-rounder to the Steelers. Coming back to Miami is safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and a 2027 fifth-round pick. It's a stunning reunion with the team's 2018 first-round pick. As if that wasn't enough, GM Chris Grier then acquired tight end Darren Waller from the Giants, coaxing him out of retirement for just a 2026 sixth-round pick. While Ramsey's two-year tenure ends, the Dolphins gain a dynamic, field-tilting safety in Fitzpatrick and a massive receiving threat in Waller, completely reshaping two key position groups.
The NFL certainly expects Miami to be box office entertainment. For the second straight year, the Dolphins have been handed five prime-time games, a testament to their star power despite last season's 8-9 finish. The schedule is daunting, featuring back-to-back prime-time games early in the season (Week 3 at Buffalo, Week 4 vs. Jets) and again late in the year (Weeks 15 and 16). In a unique twist, the team will enjoy a four-game home stand from Weeks 7-10, though one of those 'home' games will be played against the Commanders in Spain. The season kicks off on the road against the Indianapolis Colts.
It's not all good news, however. The injury bug is already biting before training camp even begins. The team announced that rookie offensive tackle Jonah Savaiinaea will be out for the Week 1 opener at Indianapolis, a blow to the offensive line depth. Furthermore, several key players are starting camp with a 'questionable' tag, including star pass rusher Bradley Chubb (knee), linebacker Jordyn Brooks (wrist), and receivers Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and Tahj Washington. The health of these players, particularly Chubb, will be a major storyline to monitor throughout camp.
With the major roster moves seemingly set and the schedule released, the countdown to football truly begins. Per the official NFL calendar, the Dolphins can open training camp for rookies in mid-July, with veterans slated to report seven days later. This is when the new pieces like Fitzpatrick and Waller will integrate, and we'll get our first glimpse of how the 2025 squad will take shape. The next key date on the league calendar is July 15, the deadline for any franchise-tagged players to sign long-term extensions.
With a revamped roster full of star power and a schedule built for national television, the Dolphins have pushed all their chips to the middle of the table. The moves for Fitzpatrick and Waller signal an aggressive, all-in approach, but questions surrounding key injuries and the gauntlet of a schedule remain. All eyes now turn to mid-July, when training camp opens and we get our first look at what this new-look Dolphins team is truly made of. Buckle up, Fins fans, it's going to be a wild ride.
