Steelers Now
The Pittsburgh Steelers trading All-Pro free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick seemingly came out of nowhere. Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk speculates that something happened behind the scenes between Fitzpatrick and the Steelers brass.
“Something weird was going on,” Florio said on 93.7 The Fan. “I’m waiting for the reports to come out as we get closer to training camp about whatever the issues were between the Steelers and Minkah Fitzpatrick. It just feels like they were lying in the weeds waiting to make this move.”
Fitzpatrick’s play has been declining, but he’s still one of the best safeties in the NFL. The trade certainly caught many off guard. Perhaps something did occur behind the scenes.
The Steelers don’t have a clear-cut answer in replacing Fitzpatrick, either. Maybe Juan Thornhill will step up into a starting role or Jalen Ramsey will move to safety. They could also go the free agent route. All-Pro Justin Simmons is still available.
Fitzpatrick or the Steelers brass haven’t spoke with the media yet. More clarity to the situation will be provided once they do speak.
Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette revealed that trading Fitzpatrick was not a big priority for the Steelers this offseason, but they were not pleased with the lack of splash plays.
“Steelers were not actively trying to trade Minkah Fitzpatrick, but they were willing to listen to any team who showed interest,” Dulac posted on X. “They felt the absence of splash plays the past two years was not commensurate with what they were paying him.”
Fitzpatrick had six interceptions in 2022 (tied for first in the NFL) and had 11 over his first three seasons in Pittsburgh. He also had three forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries from 2019-21. Over his first four seasons, he had 24 splash plays over 51 games.
Over the last two seasons, he had just one interception, no forced fumbles and no fumble recoveries over 27 games. It’s quit simple, the Steelers thought Fitzpatrick wasn’t living up to his contract.
Time will tell in regard to who won the trade. But the Steelers got a pretty good return in dealing Fitzpatrick.
In fact, former NFL All-Pro cornerback Asante Samuel Sr. thinks Miami got fleeced by Omar Khan and the Steelers. In addition to acquiring All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey and Pro Bowl tight end Jonnu Smith, the Steelers also acquired a 2027 seventh-round draft pick and the Dolphins got a 2027 fifth-round draft pick in the trade.
“If the Steelers’ defense was ranked 12th in total defense, with almost no production from Minkah Fitzpatrick last season, I know, and I guarantee, Jalen Ramsey will make this defense a better defense,” Samuel said on the Say What Needs To Be Said podcast. “And the Dolphins had no reason to trade Jalen Ramsey, other than that they were sensitive. There’s no leadership in the Dolphins organization. Mike McDaniels is a pushover. Chris Greer, the general manager, has no backbone. These guys over here, the Miami Dolphins, they...
