Important Steelers Defender Has Future With Franchise Put Into Serious Question

The Pittsburgh Steelers' 2019 season is one of the most impressive on Head Coach Mike Tomlin's résumé, despite a playoff appearance never happening. Franchise quarterback Ben Roethlisberger had three tendons repaired in his right elbow, which left the team with unimaginable questions at the most important position in the sport. The organization has always been focused on winning each year however, so a big move was made on the defensive side of the ball. The front office acquired safety Minkah Fitzpatrick from the Miami Dolphins for, most importantly, a 2020 first-round pick. It paid dividends almost immediately.

Fitzpatrick was a force for the Steelers for several years after the trade, but fans have questioned his ability to make big plays of late. The safety has only intercepted one pass since the 2023 season began, which has raised some serious red flags amongst the fan base. Fitzpatrick was once looked at as one of the top defenders in the NFL, but could soon be playing on a year-to-year basis if he doesn't perform in 2025.

A lot of the defensive drama surrounding Pittsburgh as the offseason kicks into full gear has been about TJ Watt and his upcoming extension. The overall belief is that a deal will get done with the future Hall of Famer edge rusher, but not many have brought up the fact that Fitzpatrick will also be a free agent soon, with his contract expiring after the 2026 campaign.

Veteran Steelers insider and reporter Gerry Dulac hosted a fan chat on Wednesday, and was asked about rumors regarding extensions for both Watt and Fitzpatrick. While their respective deals set to expire in different years, Dulac was clear about how the near future looks.

"They will try to extend Watt," Dulac noted. "Minkah not on that list yet."

It's fair to mention that Watt will be more of a priority before the 2025 season compared to Fitzpatrick, who is tied to the team through 2026, but the fact that Fitzpatrick may not even be on the extension list yet should spark concerns. The team is fairly light at the position, and the top-end player in that area has not played up to standards since 2022, which could create more speculation when it comes to safety.

The upcoming 2025 season will be an extremely important one for Fitzpatrick. He is a potential trade candidate once the 2026 offseason comes around, but could also be in line for one final big payday in the Steel City if he has a monstrous season. The odds are against him as safeties are often judged by big plays, and those have been scarce for Fitzpatrick in recent years.

Part of Fitzpatrick's recent struggles may be due to a different approach as far as the team's defensive scheme. However, one of the most athletic players on the roster needs more of an opportunity to get back to doing what he used to do so effectively.

Steelers Need To Focus On Offensive Side Of The Ball

While Fitzpatrick has been an integral part of Pittsburgh's operation in recent years, the team has shown a very serious ineptitude on offense. A strong balance is necessary at the NFL level, and the Steelers need to find a way to be formidable on both sides of the ball. It could make sense to part ways with Fitzpatrick sooner in order to reallocate financial means to the group on offense.

Do you think that the Steelers are going to part ways with Fitzpatrick before his contract expires? Let us know in the comments below!

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