ESPN: Steelers Reunion With Minkah Fitzpatrick On The Table If He's Released

The Pittsburgh Steelers have multiple areas to focus on throughout the 2026 offseason when it comes to roster construction. The offense clearly needs some help, and that has been the case for the last several years. The group needs more weapons, specifically at wide receiver. Finding a franchise quarterback would also be nice, but that is wishful thinking in today's day and age. Other areas of focus are going to be in the secondary, while also trying to establish some more depth on the defensive line. The secondary is the main problem defensively as the Steelers have questions at cornerback and safety.

The Steelers need to find a running mate for Joey Porter Jr., who proved he was one of the best cornerbacks in the league during the 2025 season. The franchise also needs to solidify the safety position. The organization made a risky move in trading away Minkah Fitzpatrick during the 2025 offseason. The move brought in Jalen Ramsey, and now the Steelers could potentially bring Fitzpatrick back. It would not be via trade as there are rules that prohibit teams from trading for players they traded away within the last two years, but Fitzpatrick could be released by the Miami Dolphins. 

Brooke Pryor of ESPN believes Fitzpatrick could be a legitimate option in Pittsburgh if he gets released by Miami.

"Another potential reunion to keep an eye on involves safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, whom the Steelers traded to the Miami Dolphins last year," Pryor wrote. "Fitzpatrick is under contract for one more season, but with a new regime, the Dolphins could either trade or release him. The Steelers can't trade for Fitzpatrick, but he could be an option if he is released. A cerebral player, Fitzpatrick was highly regarded in Pittsburgh by the coaching staff and the locker room, and the Steelers could reunite him with DeShon Elliott, who is expected to return after suffering a season-ending knee injury in Week 8."

Fitzpatrick had a rough last couple of years in Pittsburgh as he was not forcing the turnovers that fans were accustomed to. It became difficult to justify his large contract, and the franchise decided to trade him back to Miami, where the Steelers originally acquired him from. Miami is now going through a bit of a rebuild, and Fitzpatrick is a potential cut candidate.

The Dolphins have already made some major changes during the 2026 offseason. The organization has already released Bradley Chubb and Tyreek Hill, which shows that the franchise is willing to release anyone during this new regime. Miami can save about $15.5 million against the cap during the 2026 season by releasing Fitzpatrick, which could be what happens. However, he is only under contract for one more season, which makes releasing him almost pointless. Miami does not need cap space in 2026, the franchise has little chance of seriously competing in 2026, so keeping him around or finding a trade for him would make the most sense.

Fitzpatrick was a great player in Pittsburgh, and most of the fan base would probably welcome a reunion. The Steelers just need to wait for the first domino to fall, which would be the safety's release.

Steelers Should Welcome Minkah Fitzpatrick Back With Open Arms

Fitzpatrick kind of fell out of favor with Pittsburgh fans towards the end of his tenure with the Steelers. He wasn't forcing turnovers, and it seemed as though he was getting beat by second-string tight ends consistently. That could have all been a factor of the underwhelming defense Mike Tomlin and Teryl Austin were implementing. Fitzpatrick may feel revitalized coming back to Pittsburgh at this point under a new coaching staff.

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