Steelers' Minkah Fitzpatrick May Have Just Exposed The Real Defensive Problem From 2024

The Pittsburgh Steelers' defense entering into the 2024 season was the highest paid in the NFL. Early on, that investment looked well worth it as the unit came out strong, forcing turnovers, making splash plays, and keeping the offense in every game. With stars like TJ Watt, Cam Heyward and Minkah Fitzpatrick leading the way, the defense often carried the team through tough matchups and gave them a chance to win each week.

However, as the season progressed, the Steelers ran into a brutal stretch of games and lost five times to close out the year. During that slump, frustrations began to surface, and several players mentioned a lack of communication on the field. Some also hinted that one player in particular was not doing their job properly, which created breakdowns in coverage and led to costly mistakes late in games.

When Fitzpatrick spoke via 93.7 The Fan, he seemed to indirectly point out the source of the problem. While he did not name anyone specifically, his comments suggested that the miscommunication issues could be traced back to a single player. Fitzpatrick remained confident that the problems would be fixed with the new addition of veteran cornerback Darius Slay, implying that one of the cornerbacks from the 2024 season may have been the issue.

"A guy like that is extremely valuable," Fitzpatrick said while speaking about the addition of Slay. "He’s covering the side of the field. When you have him in man-to-man or even in zone, you know it’s solid over there. There’s no leaning to one guy especially when you have Joey on the other side. There are no real concerns out there. You know he’s going to be in the right position. You know he’s going to do his job at a high level. You can just play ball."

Steelers insider Jeff Hathhorn believed those quotes from Fitzpatrick were an indirect shot at former cornerback Donte Jackson. The Steelers acquired Jackson in a trade with the Carolina Panthers, hoping his speed and experience would strengthen the secondary.

Despite a few promising moments, there were blatant miscommunications and lingering injuries down the stretch that hurt Jackson’s productivity during the 2024 season.

"You can tell Fitzpatrick, while not saying it, believes it’s a big upgrade from Donte Jackson last year," Hathhorn said. "He thinks that will allow everyone to just worry about doing their jobs and not feeling like they might have to cover for someone else."

Many believed Fitzpatrick had lost a step in 2024, but those who studied the All-22 film argued he was doing the dirty work that often goes unnoticed on the stat sheet. He was frequently covering for others, handling responsibilities outside his usual role. 

Steelers fans remain divided on his performance, but one thing is certain: the entire defense, particularly the secondary, must improve in 2025.

Steelers Believe Their Secondary Will Be Better In 2025

The Steelers took steps to fix that side of the ball during the offseason. They chose not to re-sign Jackson, who went on to join the Los Angeles Chargers in free agency. With Jackson gone, the Steelers are turning to Joey Porter Jr. and Slay to help solidify the secondary and bring stability to a unit that struggled late in the 2024 season.

If the secondary can show real progress, this Steelers defense has a strong chance to rank among the best in the league. The front seven is already loaded with talent, and better communication and coverage on the back end could be the key to unlocking the unit’s full potential in 2025.

With several new additions on the defensive side of the ball and reports that Fitzpatrick will be in a more favorable role, there is growing optimism among Steelers fans. The defense has a strong mix of veteran leadership and young talent, and on paper, it looks like one of the most complete units Pittsburgh has had in years. The question remains: can they put it all together for the 2025 season?

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