Dolphins looking to trade Minkah Fitzpatrick – The Splash Zone 2/20/26

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 09: Minkah Fitzpatrick #29 of the Miami Dolphins enters the field prior to a game against the Buffalo Bills at Hard Rock Stadium on November 09, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Miami Dolphins are entering another rebuild mode and it seems like we just got done with the last one. Back in 2019 when the Dolphins decided they needed to tear it all down and start over, Minkah Fitzpatrick was in his second year with the team. He was unhappy with his role with the team and requested a trade, which ended with him heading to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a first round pick. Now after being back with Dolphins for another year, Fitzpatrick will probably be on the move again. It was reported the Dolphins are looking for a trade partner for the safety and it would be wise to get the maximum value for him while he is still in his prime. It will hurt to lose a good player like him, but

You can check out that story here, and the rest of the day’s round-up below.

Why the Minkah Report Was Totally Predictable
Miami Dolphins safety Minkah Fitzpatrick could be on his way out of Miami for a second time

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Dolphins Quarterbacks

Exploring the Dolphins’ More Creative Options for Trading Tua Tagovailoa
The Dolphins might need to do something drastic to get a team interested in trading for Tua Tagovailoa.

Breaking Down an Under-the-Radar Option at Quarterback
The Miami Dolphins almost certainly will have a new starter in 2026

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Dolphins Offseason

Ranking Dolphins Top 11 Options at Pick 11 in 2026 NFL Draft
Miami is slated to pick just outside the top 10 in the 2026 NFL draft.

8 NFL draft prospects Miami Dolphins must interview at scouting combine
Miami Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan is bringing “The Packers Way” to South Florida.

Three roster moves that would do the Dolphins more harm than good in their effort to reset their salary cap books
Which potential moves left for Miami to make this offseason may be too cost-prohibitive?

Dolphins In Play for International Game
The Miami Dolphins played in Spain in 2025 and could have another game out of the country next season

Miami Dolphins to win only 4 or 5 games, DraftKings projects
According to DraftKings, the Miami Dolphins’ over/under win/loss projection for 2026 is 4.5 wins.

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Phinsider News You May Have Missed

Tough decisions on the horizon – The Splash Zone 2/18/26
Welcome to the Splash Zone, the quickest way to get your day started off right. We bring you a rundown of Miami Dolphins news from the last 24 hours.

Dolphins exploring trade for Minkah Fitzpatrick
Minkah Fitzpatrick will likely leave the Dolphins this offseason.

How good was Patrick Paul in 2025?
Paul posted the fourth lowest pressure rate for all left tackles in 2025.

Miami Dolphins Discussion: Who To Trade Edition
We ask Miami Dolphins players which players they would like to see the team attempt to trade away.

Former Miami Dolphins WR Isaiah Ford joins Bears coaching staff
A former 7th-round draft pick of the Miami Dolphins will now learn under one of the NFL’s brightest offensive minds!

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Cavs at Hornets: How to watch, odds, and injury report

Jan 21, 2026; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Jaylon Tyson (20) drives in as he is defended by Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (1) during the second half at the Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images | Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images

The Cleveland Cavaliers are on the second night of a back-to-back against the Charlotte Hornets. Cleveland returned from the All-Star break last night with a big win over the Brooklyn Nets.

It’s been a good two months for the Cavs. They’ve turned the corner in 2026 and are back to being an elite team. Cleveland is 13-2 over their last 15 games and have worked back into the top 10 for both offensive and defensive ratings.

The Cavs began trending in the right direction even before the James Harden trade, but his arrival has only made them more dangerous. This is a team that’s playing with a newfound confidence. They could carry that into a big run in the playoffs, if all goes as planned.

Meanwhile, Charlotte has been a pleasant surprise. Kon Knueppel is right in the mix for Rookie of the Year, while LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller have helped lead one of the league’s best offenses in February.

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Anything bought from the links helps support Fear the Sword. You can buy the Mark Price shirt HERE. You can also shop all of Homage’s Cavs gear HERE.

Who: Cleveland Cavaliers (35-21) vs. Charlotte Hornets (26-30)

Where: Spectrum Center – Charlotte, NC

When: Fri., Feb. 20 at 7 PM

TV: FanDuel Sports Network Ohio, FanDuel Sports Network App, NBA League Pass

Point spread: Cavs -5.5

Cavs injury report from last game vs. Nets: Max Strus – OUT (foot), Nae’Qwan Tomlin – OUT (calf soreness), Emanuel Miller – OUT (G League), Tristan Enaruna – OUT (G League), Riley Minix – OUT (G League)

Hornets injury report: Not Yet Submitted

Cavs expectedstarting lineup: James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Dean Wade, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen

Hornets expected starting lineup: Kon Knueppel, Grant Williams, Ryan Kalkbrenner, LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller

Previous matchup: Player Grades: Cavs vs Hornets – Cleveland outlasts Charlotte in shaky offensive performance

Here’s a look at both teams’ impact stats via Cleaning the Glass.

	Offensive Rating	Defensive Rating	Net Rating
Cavs	118 (8th)	113.6 (9th)	+4.3 (8th)
Hornets	117.2 (11th)	115.5 (15th)	+1.8 (13th)

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Seahawks begin process of selling team — less than two weeks after Super Bowl win

Ever dreamed of buying a defending Super Bowl champion franchise?

Well, now you can — if you have a few billion dollars lying around. 

The Estate of Paul G. Allen announced it had “commenced a formal sale process” of the Seahawks just 10 days after the franchise captured its second Super Bowl title with a 29-13 win over the Patriots at Levi’s Stadium. 

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell hands the Vince Lombardi Trophy to Jody Allen of the Seahawks after their Super Bowl win over the Patriots on Feb. 8, 2026 in Santa Clara, Calif. Getty Images

In a statement announcing the news, the Allen estate said the sale of the Seahawks is “consistent with Allen’s directive to eventually sell his sports holdings and direct all Estate proceeds to philanthropy.”

“The Estate has selected investment bank Allen & Company and law firm Latham & Watkins to lead the sale process, which is estimated to continue through the 2026 off-season.

NFL owners must then ratify a final purchase agreement,” the statement continued. 

Allen, the co-founder of Microsoft, purchased the Seahawks in 1997 for around $200 million. 

The team’s current home, Lumen Field, was built, and Seattle won its first Super Bowl (2014) during his tenure and made another Big Game appearance the following season.

Allen died in 2018, and his younger sister, Jody Allen, has been the chair of the franchise since. 

Seahawks owner Paul Allen on the field before their win over the Giants on Oct. 22, 2017, at MetLife Stadium. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

At the time of his death, Allen owned the Seahawks, Trail Blazers and a 25 percent stake in the Sounders.

As part of his will, Allen directed his sister to eventually sell off his sports holdings and use the proceeds for charity. 

The Seahawks were valued at an estimated $6.59 billion last year by Sportico. Forbes valued the team at $6.7 billion. 

The sale of the Seahawks is expected to set a new NFL record, with some suggesting they could sell for as much as $8 billion. 

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Cup of Cavs: NBA news and links for Thursday, Feb. 19

BOSTON, MA - DECEMBER 14: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second quarter against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on December 14, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Good morning, it’s Thursday, February 19th. The Cleveland Cavaliers are 34-21 and finally play basketball again for the first time since last Wednesday.

A lot has happened since we last previewed a Cavs game. I totaled my car. Jaylon Tyson and Donovan Mitchell competed in All-Star weekend. And, Cleveland went a few days in a row without snowing or dipping below freezing. All in all, not too bad.

The Cavs will host the Brooklyn Nets tonight at 7 PM. Cleveland is 1-0 against the Nets this season.

Today’s Game of the Day

• Detroit Pistons at New York Knicks – 7:30 PM, Prime Video

There’s a power vacuum in the East this season. And even with the best record in basketball, the Pistons are still trying to prove that they belong at the top of the conference. A showdown with the Knicks could help them earn some more goodwill.

But, as Cavs fans know, the only way to beat the ‘regular season merchant’ accusations is to prove it in the playoffs. A win tonight won’t cement the Pistons. But it could be a fun statement game regardless.

The rest of the NBA schedule

• Indiana Pacers at Washington Wizards – 7 PM
• Atlanta Hawks at Philadelphia 76ers – 7 PM
• Houston Rockets at Charlotte Hornets – 7 PM
• Toronto Raptors at Chicago Bulls – 8 PM
• Phoenix Suns at San Antonio Spurs – 8:30 PM
• Orlando Magic at Sacramento Kings – 10 PM
• Boston Celtics at Golden State Warriors – 10 PM
• Denver Nuggets at LA Clippers – 10:30 PM

Cavs links of the day

• Cavs star Donovan Mitchell gets hilarious results in NBA Player Poll – Fear the Sword
• Predicting Cavs rotation after All-Star Break – Sports Illustrated
• Early James Harden Impressions (VIDEO) – Ultimate Cleveland Sports Show

NBA links

• Five biggest things to watch as NBA returns from All-Star Break – Yahoo Sports
• NBA Viewers Guide – ESPN

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Golden Nuggets: Vamos 49ers

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - NOVEMBER 21: Fred Warner #54 of the San Francisco 49ers take the field before the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Estadio Azteca on November 21, 2022 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images) | Getty Images

49ers returning to Mexico City for second international game of 2026 NFL season
“The 49ers are designated the home team for the game in Mexico City, while the Rams are the home team for the game in Melbourne, Australia. San Francisco will play eight games at Levi’s Stadium, seven true road games and two international games to comprise its 17-game regular season schedule. 

The 49ers’ opponent in Mexico City, as well as the date and kickoff time, will be announced when the full schedule is released in the spring, according to the NFL.” 

Offseason Mailbag: Will the 49ers actually address O-Line? (Paywall)
“Kawachipto on YouTtube asks: What is the biggest shift/change you predict Morris brings to the defensive scheme? 

More man coverage and Cover-6, with a heavy lean on Renardo Green. That’s a pure guess because we won’t have a real clue until they add new players. Morris is a polyglot of scheme. 

But Green, I think, is the ideal person to want to coach up, and the 49ers’ frustrations are, in large part, due to Green’s upside. I think he’s a much better corner than Deommodore Lenoir, or at least, can be. I think they’ll want to get the best out of him, specifically. 

Duxstar-Niners on YouTube asks: If the niners realized they needed to actually invest in the Oline this year and take a Tackle is there any worth taking if they fall ? Also do you think the Niners should take a safety in the first round if available? 

1. Yes. I could see a few scenarios where they have viable options. Buuuut, they’d all have to be tackle/guard viable. They’re picky. They need to have tackle upside but immediate guard utility. That’s not Monroe Freeling, though he’s typically fit the mold of their tackles. The options are Caleb Lomu and Kadyn Proctor. 2. I would probably lean no in this class. I like Thieneman, but I’m not sure he shifts the paradigm enough. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren is sick, but I’m not convinced he’s a true single-high player.” 

49ers mailbag: How can they catch Seahawks, Rams? How to help Nick Bosa? (Paywall)
“Yes, the 49ers have a type — big and brawny — when it comes to their defensive ends. They want them to be sturdy enough as run defenders to “set the edge” — not allowing running backs to get to the sideline by fending off perimeter blocks by tackles and tight ends. 

Bosa is 6-foot-4, 266 pounds. Yetur Gross-Matos: 6-5, 265. Clelin Ferrell: 6-4, 265. Sam Okuayinonu: 6-1, 269. See a pattern? 

That said, Shanahan never sounded more willing to tweak his defensive philosophy last month before replacing coordinator Robert Saleh with Raheem Morris, who doesn’t have a background in the 49ers’ 4-3, Seattle-style scheme. Notably, he hired Morris instead of in-house candidate Gus Bradley, who helped popularize the system the 49ers have run since Shanahan was hired. 

“That’s how this league works now,” Shanahan said of becoming less predictable on defense. “Offensive coaches know how to attack things too much and so you have to (increase) the variables on what they know they’re going to get.”

It’s possible tweaks to the defensive front could prompt the 49ers to cast a wider net when it comes to edge rushers, allowing them to increase their draft odds on hitting on the right prospect.” 

Maxx Crosby to 49ers? Adam Schefter reveals the likely trade cost
““I was told that the Raiders don’t want to trade [Maxx Crosby], and if they even contemplated it, then it would take a Micah Parsons-type package. That’s what I was told,” Schefter said on Philadelphia area radio station 97.5 The Fanatic while discussing a potential Crosby-to-Eagles scenario. “Do I think they are getting two firsts and a player? No. Do I think they want to trade him? No. Do I think he’ll be traded like A.J. Brown [could be]? That’ll change by the week.”

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Ex-Steelers star defends Ben Roethlisberger after ‘pure-out attack’ by Joey Porter

Joey Porter Sr.’s blistering attack on Ben Roethlisberger’s character isn’t the belief of all his former teammates. 

James Harrison, who was Roethlisberger’s teammate from 2004-2012 and again from 2014-2017, defended the quarterback during his podcast that was posted this week, saying that “I do not think Ben is a bad teammate.”

Harrison’s reply came after Porter went scorched earth on Roethlisberger, calling him “just not a good teammate” and saying that he was not a good person.

Porter also went after Harrison with his comments, accusing both players of breaking the “brotherhood” over their criticisms of former Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. 

“That was a pure-out attack on Ben’s character, and what I said about Mike was an attack on his coaching,” Harrison said on the “Deebo and Joe” podcast. “Two different things. That’s more breaking the brotherhood than what Ben said. Ben said, ‘I think I feel like maybe Tomlin should move on.’ Like, come on, bruh. That’s what he said.”

James Harrison of the Pittsburgh Steelers walks onto the field before the start of the game against the Oakland Raiders at Heinz Field on November 8, 2015 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Getty Images

Ben Roethlisberger, former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback participates in a ceremony at halftime of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins in Pittsburgh, Monday, Dec. 15, 2025. AP

“I went way harder than that,” Harrison added. “But [Porter] went on [the attack] because he, obviously, has a personal issue with Ben that hasn’t been resolved.”

During the scathing commentary against Roethlisberger, Porter specifically mentioned instances where the QB refused to sign gear for teammates. 

Harrison acknowledged that Roethlisberger’s ego may have impacted the way he handled himself early on in his career. 

Joey Porter Sr. speaks on SiriusXM at Super Bowl LIX on February 05, 2025. Getty Images for SiriusXM

“Hell yeah, that’s going to stroke my ego and give me delusions of grandeur. But over time, [Roethlisberger] has matured and grown up,” Harrison said. “You don’t value the same things you did at 23 as you do at 30. Hell, I’m a different person at 47 than I was at 45. And I’m a far worse person at 40 than I was at 45.”

Roethlisberger has not publicly responded to Porter’s comments.

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Why a draft tournament would fix the tanking issue

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MAY 12: Dallas Mavericks have officially won the in NBA Draft Lottery with 1.8% pre-lottery chance to win the pick in Chicago, Illinois, United States on May 12, 2025. San Antonio Spurs got the second pick, Philadelphia 76ers got 3rd and Charlotte Hornets got the 4th pick in the lottery. (Photo by Jacek Boczarski/Anadolu via Getty Images) | Anadolu via Getty Images

It’s that time of year again. It’s tanking season. And it’s bigger and better than ever. There are seemingly more teams tanking than ever before, and they are doing it earlier and bolder and in more innovative ways. Everybody is talking about it, so why not Fear The Sword? There have been lots of crazy proposals to fix tanking thrown around. Even odds. Rookie free agency. The Wheel. 

Here’s one more: Let’s try just forcing teams to win games.

I know this sounds crazy, but I believe basketball is the most fun to watch when teams are trying to win. And I also believe that the answer to what is wrong with basketball is usually more basketball.

Here’s the proposal: 

• You hold an eight-team tournament before the playoffs to determine draft order.
• Lowest seeds gain entry, with the exception that every playoff team and play-in teams that reached the second round from last year are not eligible. No gap years. If one of those teams is at the bottom, take the next lowest seed.
• Just like the player awards season, if you don’t play, you can’t play. Let’s set a low bar and focus on the stretch run. If you haven’t played > 1,230 minutes (15 minutes per game all year) or > 15 mpg post-All-Star break, you’re out (this can be fine-tuned for role players, but you can see the point). No miraculous recoveries for the draft tournament allowed.
• Draft tournament winner gets the number one pick. Trades be damned.

That’s it. That’s the whole idea. Play basketball. Win. Get rewarded.

Why is this a good idea? Let’s break it down.

1. The Draft Lottery is the worst. There is no fixing it. We have this many teams tanking and piling picks because the draft is unreliable. Every time a San Antonio or a Philly gets lucky in the lottery, every time an Indiana takes a gap year, a team that has been tanking for years signs up for yet another year of tanking. The lottery is why we have so many teams tanking at once. It makes the draft unreliable. That’s bad. Not good.
2. The goal of a draft should not be to create middle-class citizens. It should not be to let the Chicago Bulls hang around near .500 forever. That isn’t parity. The goal should be to create contenders. The draft needs to help teams on the outside-looking-in become truly competitive. You can grow to Play-In status with picks five through 10 and shrewd acquisitions. It’s the leap that requires a top-four pick.
3. Even if teams figure out how to game the system and gain entry in nefarious ways, it’s largely a one-and-done scenario. They’ll do well, they’ll get a good pick, and they will graduate to a competitive level. That’s the goal. No tanking for half a decade or more.
4. The top-two picks landing in the worst situations is also the worst. What are our favorite stories? It’s rookie Kobe playing with Shaq. It’s rookie Tim Duncan playing with David Robinson. It’s Wemby being competitive *right now*. It is not Kevin Garnett dragging Sprewell to the Western Conference Finals or LeBron dragging Larry Hughes to the Finals before they inevitably leave the team that drafted them because they were too good for the team to build around them. The best-case scenario is that you get your second or third-best player, and then you get your generational talent. Not the other way around.
5. A draft tournament is still high variance. In a single-elimination format, anything can happen. You get that excitement. Whether your team is awful or your pre-season expectations are falling apart, you get that hope. And as a fan, you get to hope your team wins important ball games rather than hope they lose 75 meaningless ones.
6. It incentivizes teams to try to win. Think about what a draft tournament does to a rebuild cycle. Right now, when a team thinks they are close, they worry that if they get too good, too soon, then they might never get good enough. The entire young core could be wasted. They worry they should tank for one more high pick. With a draft tournament, you can go for it. You can try. You can bring in vets. Maybe you’re right, and you’re in the playoffs. Maybe you’re wrong, and you’re in the draft tournament with the best chance of winning it. Either way, the current core has a future.
7. It revitalizes the NBA middle class. No more player purgatory. No more players that are too good to tank with and not good enough to win with. These players instantly have value because even if they can’t help you win the NBA championship, they can help you win the draft tournament. Shout out to Georges Niang. Pay the Miini-van.

So that’s it. That’s the pitch. Structure everything so that in order to accomplish your goals, you have to win basketball games. Always.

And if you like that, just let me know. Because we can keep going with this concept. More tournaments, all with critical team-construction rewards. The rewards are the key. If the tournament helps a team build and helps a player get paid, everybody cares. Teams, GMs, players, fans. That adds value. That drives interest. That drives revenue. And that, ultimately, is the only way we ever get to shorten the regular season, which is what the sport truly needs. But that’s a story for another day.

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