Steelers Now
Former Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick got a big up-front raise in a new deal with the Miami Dolphins.
Fitzpatrick, who was sent to Miami in the blockbuster trade that brought Jalen Ramsey and Jonnu Smith to the Steelers, has been dodging interview requests from the Miami media since being sent back to South Florida, and 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.
He got what he’s been looking for, as Fitzpatrick and the Dolphins agreed to add a $16.245 million signing bonus to his contract, Rosenhaus told ESPN.
“We are comfortable with this commitment to Minkah as we continue to work with the Dolphins on a multi year extension,”
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.
The Dolphins owed Fitzpatrick $15.5 million this season and $17.6 million in 2026, but none of that money was guaranteed. Based on average annual value, his contract made him the fourth-highest-paid safety in the NFL. His $18.25 million AAV trails only Kerby Joseph of the Detroit Lions, Antoine Winfield Jr. of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Derwin James of the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Steelers absorbed a $6.86 million dead cap hit when they traded Fitzpatrick.
The Steelers will play the Dolphins at Acrisure Stadium on Dec. 15.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Minkah Fitzpatrick Gets New Deal, $16M Signing Bonus with Dolphins
