Steelers Now
Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reveals the Pittsburgh Steelers weren’t actively shopping safety Minkah Fitzpatrick.
As part of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ blockbuster trade with the Miami Dolphins on Monday, they had to part ways with three-time All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. Many have since speculated if that was always the plan, but Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reveals it was not.
“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.”
When the Steelers acquired Fitzpatrick in 2019 for their first-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, along with an exchange of day three draft picks, he made an immediate impact and quickly became one of the team’s best defensive players.
Fitzpatrick led the NFL with six interceptions in 2022, 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.
However, Fitzpatrick’s production has taken a major dip since. Over the last two seasons, he had just one interception, no forced fumbles and no fumble recoveries over 27 games.
That’t not the type of production the Steelers were likely hoping to see after giving him a four-year contract extension in 2022.
Still, Fitzpatrick will not be an easy player to replace. Dulac reveals Pittsburgh will try to do so by having cornerbacks Jalen Ramsey, Darius Slay and Joey Porter Jr. on the field all the time.
How will Steelers replace Minkah? Their new defensive plan will include Jalen Ramsey, Darius Slay and Joey Porter Jr. on the field all the time, with few exceptions, per sources.
— Gerry Dulac (@gerrydulac) June 30, 2025
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Report: Steelers Weren’t Trying to Trade Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick
