Minkah

Fitzpatrick

Fitzpatrick was acquired earlier in the offseason in the trade that sent Jonnu Smith and Jalen Ramsey to Pittsburgh. According to Schultz, the Dolphins have received “interest from multiple teams” for Fitzpatrick, who is under contract through 2026. Fitzpatrick has appeared in all nine games for the Dolphins this season, totaling 50 tackles, five pass breakups, and one interception, while also recovering one fumble. Fitzpatrick, 28, has been named as a Pro Bowler for each of the last three years and would immediately improve whatever secondary he lands with.

The revised contract does not add any additional years to Fitzpatrick’s deal, which is good through the 2026 season. Instead, the veteran safety will have a $16.245 million signing bonus added to his deal, which agent Drew Rosenhaus said Fitzpatrick was “comfortable” with as they “continue to work with the Dolphins on a multi-year extension.” Fitzpatrick was acquired from the Steelers in the trade that sent Jonnu Smith and Jalen Ramsey to Pittsburgh. The 28-year-old safety should be in line for another big extension after totaling 96 tackles, one interception, and four pass breakups last season.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter was the first to report Fitzpatrick’s involvement in the trade. Fitzpatrick, who was selected No. 11 overall by the Dolphins in 2018, now heads back to his former team. The veteran safety totaled 96 tackles, one interception, and four pass breakups in 17 games last season and was named to his third consecutive Pro Bowl. Fitzpatrick should provide immediate help to the back end of the Dolphins’ secondary, but the subtraction of Ramsey will leave the defense with plenty to prove heading into this season.

There’s been quite a bit of smoke about the idea of trading Fitzpatrick this offseason. He’s in the second-to-last year of a four-year, $72.98 million extension signed in 2022 and on a $22.3 million cap figure for the 2025 season. Fitzpatrick’s PFF coverage grades have not painted him as the same kind of massive plus he had been from 2019-2022, and his run defense also suffered this season. Entering his age-29 season, we agree with the premise of using the resources differently for the Steelers, but are struggling to think of a team that wants to pay a good safety that kind of cap figure and would give up the kind of draft capital that would make this worth Pittsburgh’s time.

Fitzpatrick was a full participant in practice throughout the week before being removed from the injury report. He hasn’t played since Week 15. The star safety only played in 10 regular season games but still managed to rack up 64 tackles and three pass breakups. Getting him back is a big win for a defense that heads into the postseason with T.J. Watt.

Fitzpatrick has been out with a knee injury since Week 15 and has only been able to get in a handful of practices since then, so the fact that he was able to practice on Wednesday is a good sign for his availability for Sunday’s wild card game against the Bills. With T.J. Watt sidelined, getting Fitzpatrick would be a big boost as the Steelers try to shutdown Josh Allen.

The Steelers need a win and significant help to reach the postseason, making the absence of Minkah Fitzpatrick of particular intrigue. It’ll otherwise be all hands on deck in the must-win contest.

The Steelers’ Tuesday practice report was just an estimation, but Fitzpatrick was notably listed as a non-participant. He has been out since Week 15 with a knee issue that he continues to deal with. Fitzpatrick has a few days to return to practice for a Week 18 matchup against the Ravens. The only other Steeler listed as a non-participant was LB Elandon Roberts (pectoral).

Fitzpatrick suffered the knee issue in Week 15 and has been sidelined since. The knee injury is the latest in a string of recent issues for the star safety. He has only appeared in 10 games this year. Fitzpatrick has 64 tackles and three pass breakups in those 10 games.

Fitzpatrick exited Week 15 with a knee injury and missed Week 16 against the Bengals with the issue. He starts out the week with a DNP listing and his absence would be a tough blow in a critical Week 17 matchup against the Seahawks. LB Elandon Roberts (pectoral) also did not participate in practice, leaving the Steelers defense thin over the middle of the field.