Steelers Now
Miami Dolphins general manager Chris Grier revealed in a recent interview that he was shocked that the Pittsburgh Steelers were willing to part ways with All-Pro free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick.
“Honestly, I was shocked,” Grier said. “I was very surprised that we were able to get him. But I do know that Pittsburgh had liked (Jalen) Ramsey a lot for what he could do, and his skill set. He’s a very good player as well.”
Getting Fitzpatrick was a pleasant surprise for Grier. He views it as a win-win situation for both teams.
“Getting Jonnu (Smith) for them, too, was important. The way you look at it is they got two players that they liked, and we got a player that we had coveted as well. It was a win-win, and we got a draft pick as well. Win-win for both teams.”
On July 28, Fitzpatrick addressed the media for the first time since the Pittsburgh Steelers traded him to Miami on June 30. He said his silence was not a reflection of his feelings about his return to Miami.
“One, I am not a big social media guy, you aren’t going to see me on there, point blank,” Fitzpatrick explained to the Miami media. “Two, in no way, shape, or form was that an expression about coming to Miami. Three, I want to thank the city of Pittsburgh, you guys treated me very well. i enjoyed my time there, had some great players and great teammates. It was very unfortunate the way things ended, it’s a part of business. I’m extremely excited to be a Miami Dolphin.”
Fitzpatrick declined any and all questions about the past. He just wanted to focus on the present and being a Dolphin.
Fitzpatrick, who was sent to Miami in the blockbuster trade that brought Jalen Ramsey and Jonnu Smith to the Steelers, had been seeking a new contract, hiring legendary agent Drew Rosenhaus, despite the fact that he had two years left of the $73.6 million contract Fitzpatrick signed with the Steelers in 2022.
Fitzpatrick and the Dolphins agreed to add a $16.245 million signing bonus to his contract.
“It was reported that I wanted a new contract. I just wanted to know that I was going to be here for more than a season,” Fitzpatrick said.
Fitzpatrick did not enjoy his first run in Miami, where he was a first-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. He clashed with then-head coach Brian Flores over his role and disliked the Dolphins’ approach to the 2019 season — when owner Stephen Ross allegedly pressured Flores to tank.
None of those factors — save Ross — remain with the Dolphins. Fitzpatrick and Flores reconciled when he was hired in Pittsburgh in 2022.
Fitzpatrick admitted that he was emotionally immature as a young player and has leaned about how to better communicate and has grown.
Fitzpatrick and the Dolphins face the Steelers in Week 15 on Monday Night Football at Acrisure Stadium.
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