Steelers Truly Traded Away One Of Their Locker Room Alphas In Minkah Fitzpatrick: "Proverbial First-One-In, Last-One-Out Guy"

The Pittsburgh Steelers have always prided themselves on their veteran leadership in the locker room, helping to send the message that the coaches try to convey. Cameron Heyward has been a team captain for many years for his ability to do exactly that. He has always been a great vocal presence and one of the hardest workers on the team. However, you don't have to be a player going out for the opening coin toss to be a strong leader on and off the field, and that has been the case for a few other key guys in black and gold. 

From what insider Brian Batko said in his latest column on the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, it sounds like the Steelers just traded away a big-time leader. He explained what Minkah Fitzpatrick was like behind closed doors.

"In Pittsburgh, he was the proverbial first-one-in, last-one-out guy, usually carrying around a leather-bound notebook," Batko said. "He’d regularly sit in coaches’ meetings to talk scheme, but that doesn’t mean he was aloof or putting himself on a pedestal above the team. Just last month, he was at a Pirates-Astros game at PNC Park with a slew of other defensive backs, some of whom will be a long way from an NFL roster this time two months from now."

Fitzpatrick was always working to improve his craft. Being a three-time First Team All-Pro was never good enough for him. He was always looking for ways to contribute. In 2021, he led the team in tackles with 124. The very next year, he led the league in interceptions and was named MVP of the Steelers. If there was something he could do to help the team, it's fair to say he would find a way to make it happen. 

However, that clearly was not good enough for the Steelers. They shipped the 28-year-old away for an even older defensive back in Jalen Ramsey, and a Pro Bowl tight end in Jonnu Smith. Racking up plenty of tackles and patrolling centerfield did not result in all the splash plays like the team wanted from Fitzpatrick in 2024. However, they lost more than a quality player and a perennial Pro Bowler: they lost a leader.

Captain Heyward himself was not exactly thrilled to lose a teammate like that, and he definitely isn't the only one to share those feelings. Batko shared more stories about Fitzpatrick, including practicing mere days after an emergency appendectomy, demanding respect for the logo within the locker room, and even going straight to the coaches to talk about how they could make life easier on the defense. 

Steelers Are Looking For Different Leadership Tactics With Trade

While Fitzpatrick was more of an inspirational leader, Ramsey can come in and help teach the game to the younger cornerbacks. His style of play is the same as 2023 draft picks, Joey Porter Jr. and Cory Trice Jr. They are all physical corners that try to essentially bully the opposing wideouts. Ramsey has made a living off of this style and even won a Super Bowl, so he can help the young guns do it properly. 

The main question here is about if that kind of on-field coaching is needed, especially since the Steelers also signed Darius Slay to be a mentor on the field. Hopefully, there aren't too many cooks in the kitchen here, as there is a fine line to when helping turns into hurting. As long as they develop well, no one will complain about multiple mentors for the same position.

Ramsey is also expected to help fill the hole left at safety from dealing Fitzpatrick away, but those are still some big shoes to fill. Clearly, the team brass believed his play on the field could be improved upon easily, but his impact in the locker room goes far beyond that. They still have guys like Heyward around for leadership, but they will need to make up for one less vocal presence.

What do you think about Fitzpatrick's leadership when he was with the Steelers? Let us know in the comments or on X at @Steelers_ChrisB.

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