Trade for former 3-time All-Pro would significantly improve Buffalo Bills' secondary

While Cole Bishop has come on strong in his second season, the Buffalo Bills remain in need of a boost at the safety position.

Veteran Jordan Poyer has lost a step, and while rookie Jordan Hancock has inspired confidence early in his career, there is no guarantee that inserting him into the starting lineup at this stage would prove impactful in the long term. With the trade deadline approaching, it may behoove the Bills to pursue a veteran with some gas left in the tank.

Sources: The #Dolphins have been open to trading 5x Pro Bowl S Minkah Fitzpatrick, and there has been interest from multiple teams.

Miami already traded Jaelan Phillips to the Eagles on Monday morning for a 3rd-round pick. pic.twitter.com/LdnropSlKW
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) November 3, 2025

Dolphins safety Minkah Fitzpatrick is reported to be on the market, as Miami has started a fire sale of sorts after firing former General Manager Chris Grier. The Dolphins already dealt pass rusher Jaelan Phillips to the Philadelphia Eagles, and Jordan Schultz is reporting that Fitzpatrick has also garnered interest from several teams.

Fitzpatrick was dealt by the Pittsburgh Steelers to the Dolphins this offseason and has recorded 50 tackles, five passes defensed, an interception and a fumble recovery through nine games this season. The 28-year-old is a former three-time All-Pro who has played in the league for eight seasons.

Poyer has been a good soldier in his return to the Bills, waiting his turn before jumping at the chance to obtain a starting role the past few weeks. But it is tough to deny that Fitzpatrick would bring added ability to a Buffalo secondary that has endured struggles throughout the season.

MORE: 3 big-time WR trade options for Buffalo Bills before Tuesday's deadline

Aug 23, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (29) looks on before the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Hard Rock Stadium. | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

If this team hopes to win a championship, it will need to maintain the level of play it saw from its coverage unit during a Week 9 win over the Kansas City Chiefs. The improved performance of the secondary allowed Buffalo’s pass rush to come alive to the tune of 15 quarterback hits and three sacks during the victory over KC, proving its importance for this defense as it hopes to become championship-level in the weeks to come.

Fitzpatrick could help seal the deal for Buffalo on the back-end, and it doesn’t appear as if it would cost an arm and a leg to acquire him, if Miami is willing to do business with a divisional rival. The Dolphins traded Phillips for a third-round pick while eating over $6 million of the money he was owed this season. Fitzpatrick would cost any team acquiring him just $627,500 against the cap, per Spotrac, which wouldn’t be a problem money-wise for the Bills.

The Bills need help at various positions, and if they elect to add at the safety position, Fitzpatrick would be a good place to start.

— Sign up for OnSI’s Free Buffalo Bills Newsletter —

More Buffalo Bills News:

Buffalo Bills' youth movement disproves longtime Sean McDermott narrative

Buffalo Bills' defense found its secret weapon in Week 9 win over Chiefs

Bills must make this change after Maxwell Hairston's heroics in Week 9 win over Chiefs

Buffalo Bills' defense has found answer it's been looking for in second-year safety