Fitzpatrick wants to remain with Dolphins long term: I'm 'liking the energy'

Dolphins safety Minkah Fitzpatrick would like to remain in Miami long term after the team acquired him in a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers in late June.

"I'm really liking the energy and the direction that this is going," Fitzpatrick told reporters Monday. "I think the culture of this locker room is one that wants to win and win now, but it's also something that I want to earn. I know that it was reported that I wanted a new contract, but I just wanted to know that I was going to be here for more than a season, and I got that.

"And now, I'm going to go out there, play All-Pro, Pro Bowl level, and hopefully earn the respect of my teammates and the organization to have that long-term contract."

Fitzpatrick and the Dolphins agreed to a revised deal that added a $16.245-million signing bonus to his pact and also reportedly cleared $11 million in cap space. The safety has two years remaining on the four-year, $76-million deal he signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2022.

Fitzpatrick landed back in Miami in a blockbuster trade that sent All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey to Pittsburgh. The Dolphins selected Fitzpatrick in the first round of the 2018 draft, but he suited up for only 18 games with the team before getting dealt to the Steelers. The Alabama product was reportedly upset with the organization at the time due to his usage under then-head coach Brian Flores.

"I would say I'm definitely a lot more emotionally mature," Fitzpatrick said of his first stint in Miami. "I think I was very emotionally unintelligent back then.

"Like I just said, I learned from my mistakes, and I tried to grow in that area. I tried to get to know the people around me better and learn how to communicate, learn how to not communicate. Just stuff like that, for sure."

Fitzpatrick has earned three first-team All-Pro nods during his seven-year career. His best campaign came in 2022 when he led the league in interceptions (6) while totaling 96 tackles and 11 passes defended. Last season, he allowed 41 catches on 52 targets for 540 yards and four touchdowns as the nearest defender, according to Pro Football Reference.

Miami kicks off its season against the Indianapolis Colts on Sept. 7.