Steelers Now
The Pittsburgh Steelers have sent All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick to the Miami Dolphins in a trade that will bring cornerback Jalen Ramsey to the Steelers, according to a report by Adam Schefter of ESPN.
Ramsey first announced that he was joining the Steelers on Monday. The Steelers are also acquiring tight end Jonnu Smith in the deal.
The trade is a rare swap that will send All-Pros both ways. Ramsey was a three-time All-Pro in 2017, 2020 and 2021. Fitzpatrick was a also a three-time, first-team All-Pro, in 2019, 2020 and 2022.
Fitzpatrick was initially drafted by the Dolphins in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft out of Alabama. He was traded to the Steelers, for their first-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, along with an exchange of day three draft picks, in 2019.
Fitzpatrick made an immediate impact in Pittsburgh. He started 88 games for the Steelers over the last six seasons.
He was one of the team’s best defensive players and a defensive leader, but he had less of an impact over the last few seasons. Fitzpatrick led the NFL with six interceptions in 2022, and had 11 over his first three seasons with the Steelers. 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.
Fitzpatrick signed a four-year contract extension with the Pittsburgh in 2022. His trade will incur a $15.5 million dead cap hit and result in a $6.855 million net salary cap savings. The entire salary cap picture of the trade won’t be determined until the details of new deals for Ramsey and Smith are reported.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Steelers Ship Out All-Pro Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick in Blockbuster Trade with Dolphins
