Latest news with #MinkahFitzpatrick
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Former Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick tumbles in ESPN rankings
Again this offseason, ESPN has polled NFL executives, coaches and scouts to rank the Top 10 players at every position. We've already talked about where defensive tackle Cam Heyward and edge defender T.J. Watt ranked and next up are the safeties. Pittsburgh traded away former All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick to the Miami Dolphins at the end of June, but he still showed up on ESPN's rankings, albeit all the way down at No. 9. Here's what they had to say about their ranking of Fitzpatrick: Advertisement This move is a welcome change for Fitzpatrick, whose ball production dipped the past two seasons. After recording 17 interceptions and 38 pass breakups from 2019-22, he managed one and seven, respectively, from 2023-24. As ESPN noted, Fitzpatrick has been on a steady decline the last two seasons. He was ranked No. 1 in 2023, fell to No. 4 in 2024, and now finds himself at No. 9. This dip in production, paired with his salary, is a big reason the Steelers felt like it was time to move on from Fitzpatrick and bring in cornerback Jalen Ramsey. This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Former Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick tumbles in ESPN rankings
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ben Roethlisberger Breaks Silence on Steelers-Dolphins Trade
Ben Roethlisberger Breaks Silence on Steelers-Dolphins Trade originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Earlier this month, the Miami Dolphins and Pittsburgh Steelers made a blockbuster trade that swapped star cornerback Jalen Ramsey for All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, among others. Since the trade, everyone has had an opinion on players and teams and where they stand. Advertisement The most recent reaction to the trade came from former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. The Steelers' legend gave his breakdown of Minkah Fitzpatrick and hit on three key points on his "Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger" podcast. Roethlisberger went into depth on the narrative around Fitzpatrick's lack of production over the last couple of years, as that may have factored into the Steelers' decision to trade the former All-Pro. The retired quarterback first mentioned that there are always things going on outside the game of football that people on the outside don't know about, and that may have contributed. "I know that there had kind of been some talks in the last year, maybe call it two years, that just maybe lack of production. People talked about lack of interceptions, the lack of splash, the big play wasn't there for Minkah the last year or two, and so it kind of felt like, okay they weren't real like maybe happy with it, but I didn't think that it got to this point, right?" Roethlisberger said. "And I had heard some things that - didn't Minkah have a little one or something - I thought there was something at home going on. Advertisement "Those are rumblings, but are those rumblings outside the building or in the building. Just cause the radio talks about it, or the talking heads on tv, radio, doesn't make it legit. I would say that was a big one." However, Roethlisberger continued by defending the former Steelers' safety. Fitzpatrick played at an All-Pro level in two of the three years prior to his slip in 2023 and 2024. He led the league in interceptions in 2022 and accumulated 299 tackles and 29 passes defended between 2020 and 2022. Fitzpatrick's number only seemed to dip in the last two seasons because he had played so well the years prior. He was still named to the Pro Bowl in the previous two seasons. Advertisement "But my counter to the lack of production, if you will, for him was, it's kind of a two-fold - if you're going to compare him to a bar he set a couple years ago, where he was doing everything - he set his own bar really high, right? He's a leader back there," Roethlisberger said. "Now, there were some rumblings that maybe there were some mistakes, now whether that's by him or he was noticing other people making mistakes, whatever it is, again we're not in the ropes, inside the lines, we don't know. But, he set a bar really high - All-Pro - those are expectations you have to do every year." Roethlisberger also mentioned that Fitzpatrick's dip in stats could be because quarterbacks would stay away from him due to his success in previous years. "So, that's one side, then what I'm also going to say is as the defensive back - corner, safety - if I'm a cornerback and I don't have a lot of interceptions, pass breakups - a lot of times it's because people don't throw it at me, and that also speaks for how good you are," Roethlisberger said. "So, maybe his production's down people just aren't taking those shots. Again, this is all just asking the question. I don't have the analytics. Advertisement "Maybe the analytics, or the stats say that he has given up more big plays on him than we've seen - I don't know that. But, I'm just throwing that out there, maybe it's because people aren't taking the shots at him, you know?" Pittsburgh Steelers former quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in attendance as the Steelers host the New Orleans Saints at Acrisure Stadium. Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY SportsCharles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports The last point Roethlisberger brought up was the switching of positions and Fitzpatrick's movement within the Steelers' defense. The Steelers looked to use Fitzpatrick's talent and versatility in numerous ways, but that can hurt the player and the others around him sometimes. Roethlisberger detailed how moving slightly out of position can mess with a player's rhythm and production. Advertisement "That's tricky too, because that can get you out of position when you're playing a position that's not your mainstay position, right? You're like, 'Okay, let's move him in the box, or let's move him out of the box, or let's move him around.' Sometimes you can make a mistake," Roethlisberger said. "If you go from a free safety to a strong safety, that'd be like me taking an outside receiver that's like an outside X, which is usually the single receiver side, where he knows he's doing this over and over, and we ask him to do something, and he's doing this. "Now all of a sudden you put him to the trips side where there's three receivers , he's outside - well now he's got two more guys inside him - in his mind he's doing these things, and when you ask him to do the same thing on the other side, well your depth might have to be more important because there's other receivers inside you or vice versa. I'm just saying there could be some mistake when you move people around as much as there is." Fitzpatrick has just one interception and seven passes defended over the last two seasons, but maybe a change of scenery will help the former All-Pro. Regardless, he will be heavily leaned on as a veteran and leader in Miami's secondary in 2025, as a lot of youth currently surrounds him. Related: Former Dolphins Pro-Bowl Defensive Lineman Announces Retirement From NFL This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 13, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Survey says: Dolphins' Minkah Fitzpatrick still among elite safeties
ESPN's survey of league executives, coaches and scouts shows the league still loves Minkah Fitzpatrick. Dolphins fans are hopeful that Miami's move to bring Minkah Fitzpatrick back home to South Beach pays off in a big way in 2025. The deal ensures that Miami still has star power roaming throughout its defensive backfield even despite the departure of cornerback Jalen Ramsey. ESPN said the Dolphins aced the trade. Plenty of those in the know are a fan of what the 28-year-old Fitzpatrick can deliver in 2025. ESPN surveyed league executives, coaches and scouts to find out which safeties they liked best in the league. Fitzpatrick earned the No. 9 spot. "He still has a lot to offer -- incredibly hard worker, tone-setter, super solid running things on the back end and preventing big plays, things that go unnoticed," an NFL coordinator said. "I'm expecting a bounce-back year from him." - ESPN survey Though Fitzpatrick has dropped from No. 1 to No. 4 to No. 9 in the rankings over the past three years, the five-time Pro Bowler still garners enough respect to crack this top 10. Fitzpatrick joins names such as Kyle Hamilton, Brian Branch and Xavier McKinney inside the top 10. The 6-foot-1, 207-pound safety had a pair of interceptions and nine passes defensed with the Dolphins during his rookie season in 2018. Fitzpatrick had a 50-yard pick-six against the Vikings during that rookie campaign. Fitzpatrick would morph into the league's top safety during his time in Pittsburgh. In 2022, Fitzpatrick led the NFL in interceptions with six. During the 2019-22 seasons in Pittsburgh, Fitzpatrick registered 17 interceptions, 38 passes defended and 356 tackles. In 27 starts across the past two seasons, Fitzpatrick has recorded just the lone interception and seven passes defended. But, ESPN's survey shows that there's still optimism that Fitzpatrick has more elite play left in the tank.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Dolphins trade Jalen Ramsey to Steelers for Minkah Fitzpatrick in All-Pro swap
In a blockbuster swap of defensive stars, the Miami Dolphins have traded three-time All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for three-time All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The deal brings Ramsey a $1.5 million pay bump for the upcoming season, raising his 2025 earnings to $26.6 million. Meanwhile, Fitzpatrick makes a homecoming to Miami, where he launched his NFL career as the Dolphins' 11th overall pick in the 2018 draft. Advertisement Ramsey—who posted to X shortly before the news broke—becomes the fourth captain from last season's Dolphins roster to depart this offseason, following the retirements and exits of Terron Armstead (retired), Calais Campbell (Arizona Cardinals), and David Long Jr. (released, now with the Tennessee Titans). Ramsey, now 30, was originally drafted in the first round by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2016 and signed a four-year, $23.35 million rookie deal. After the Jaguars picked up his fifth-year option worth roughly $13 million for 2020, they traded him to the Los Angeles Rams in a deal that netted two first-round picks and a fourth-rounder. Ahead of the 2020 season, Ramsey secured a five-year, $105 million extension with the Rams before eventually landing in Miami, where he signed a three-year, $72.3 million contract in 2024. Last season, Ramsey started all 17 games for the Dolphins, tallying 60 tackles, two interceptions, a sack, and 11 passes defended. Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Dolphins' Minkah Fitzpatrick Predicted to Be Team's Biggest Bust
Dolphins' Minkah Fitzpatrick Predicted to Be Team's Biggest Bust originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Miami Dolphins hit the headlines in the last few weeks for a series of moves that have changed the core of the team. The front office shipped off cornerback Jalen Ramsey and tight end Jonnu Smith for Minkah Fitzpatrick, with picks included, in the hope of changing the fortunes of a team that limped to an 8-9 record in 2024. Advertisement The team struggled to pick up any momentum due to an injury suffered by starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Still, even when healthy, the offense struggled to move the ball, while the defense allowed just 21.4 points per game, the ninth-fewest in the league. The Dolphins will also hope that Fitzpatrick can bring the same defensive impact as Ramsey. Though one analyst believes Fitzpatrick could be the Dolphins' biggest bust in 2025. According to Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report, he will struggle to be the same player he was a few seasons ago. 'Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick is highly unlikely to flat-out bust for the Miami Dolphins in 2025. The five-time Pro Bowler is a quality starter who was on the field for the Pittsburgh Steelers in all 17 games last season.' Knox writes. Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel paces the sideline during a game against the Green Bay Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin Fitzpatrick spent the first season of his career with the Dolphins before being traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers midway through the second year. He earned First Team All-Pro honors in three of his first four seasons with the Steelers and made a name for himself as one of the best safeties in the NFL, but his impact has dwindled in recent years. Advertisement 'However, Fitzpatrick also came to Miami as part of a trade that sent cornerback Jalen Ramsey and tight end Jonnu Smith to Pittsburgh.' Know added, 'He'll need to play extremely well to bring a sense of balance to the exchange, and the 28-year-old simply hasn't been as impactful in recent years.' Fitzpatrick has been a Pro Bowler in the last three seasons, but played just 10 games in 2023 before struggling in the second half of the 2024 season. Knox finished with, 'Fitzpatrick had just one interception over the past two seasons and allowed an opposing passer rating of 127.6 in coverage last season.' Fitzpatrick won't have the same caliber of defense talent around him either, and Knox believes that he'll struggle to make the impact needed to justify the deal. Related: Dolphins Predicted Not to Make Tyreek Hill Decision During Training Camp This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 10, 2025, where it first appeared.
