Tag: Minkah Fitzpatrick

Jul 23, 2025; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (29) looks on during training camp at Baptist Health Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Report: Dolphins, Minkah Fitzpatrick agree to reworked deal

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Miami Dolphins and All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick agreed to a reworked contract, ESPN reported on Sunday.

Fitzpatrick will receive a $16.435 million signing bonus and Miami will save $11 million against the 2025 salary cap, per the report.

The Dolphins acquired Fitzpatrick from Pittsburgh last month in a trade that sent cornerback Jalen Ramsey and tight end Jonnu Smith to the Steelers.

Fitzpatrick signed a four-year, $73.6 million extension with the Steelers in 2022 and hopes to eventually sign a long-term deal with Miami, according to agent Drew Rosenhaus.

“We are comfortable with this commitment to Minkah as we continue to work with the Dolphins on a multiyear extension,” Rosenhaus told ESPN on Sunday.

Fitzpatrick, 28, is a five-time Pro Bowl and three-time All-Pro selection who launched his career in Miami as a first-round pick (11th overall) in the 2018 NFL Draft.

Fitzpatrick recorded 96 tackles and one interception in 17 starts last season. He has 20 picks, 54 passes defensed and 608 tackles in 106 career games (101 starts) with the Dolphins (2018-19) and Steelers.

–Field Level Media

Georgia coach Kirby Smart speaks to the media on the first day of spring practice in Athens, Ga., on Tuesday, March 11, 2025.

Minkah Fitzpatrick’s brother, No. 3 CB prospect, commits to Georgia

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Justice Fitzpatrick, a four-star cornerback in the Class of 2026 and the younger brother of NFL star Minkah Fitzpatrick, committed to play for Georgia on Tuesday.

The younger Fitzpatrick is considered the No. 3 cornerback in his class and No. 47 overall prospect by the 247Sports composite rankings.

Justice Fitzpatrick, who attends St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., chose the Bulldogs over finalists Florida, Texas, Miami and Ohio State. He is 6 feet, 0 1/2 inches and 185 pounds.

Before leading Georgia to back-to-back national championships, Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart was the defensive coordinator at Alabama, where he overlapped with Minkah Fitzpatrick.

Minkah Fitzpatrick played three seasons for the Crimson Tide and won two national championships in Tuscaloosa before the Miami Dolphins made him the 11th pick of the 2018 draft. The safety is currently with the Pittsburgh Steelers and is a five-time Pro Bowl selection and three-time first-team All-Pro.

–Field Level Media

Sep 18, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (24) is tackled by Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Cole Holcomb (55) and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) during the second quarter against at Acrisure Stadium. Chubb was injured on the play and taken from the field on a cart. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Steelers’ Minkah Fitzpatrick: ‘I’m not a dirty player’

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Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick found himself on the defensive three days after his tackle on Nick Chubb resulted in a season-ending knee injury for the Cleveland Browns running back.

Chubb rushed up the middle for a gain of 5 yards with 14:14 left in the second quarter on Monday and was in the process of being tackled by Pittsburgh linebacker Cole Holcomb when Fitzpatrick dropped his shoulder and ran directly into Chubb’s left knee.

The hit by Fitzpatrick caused Chubb’s leg to bend, and Chubb sat up and grabbed his knee and could be heard yelling in anguish through the field microphones.

“Very unfortunate. It’s a tough injury. Unfortunately, it’s part of the game that we play,” Fitzpatrick said Thursday. “You know, people are going to say I had ill will behind the tackle. That’s not the case whatsoever. I’m a guy that’s a competitor that’s gonna go out there and play the game. I’m chippy. I’m edge, of course, but I’m not a dirty player.

“I’m not gonna sit here and defend my character. I know the type of player I am; Chubb knows the type of player I am. I’ve played against him the past five years, two times a year and I love competing against him. He brings the best outta me, and I bring the best outta him. No chance that I would ever try and purposely injure somebody.”

Fitzpatrick said there is nothing he’d do differently in his approach to tackle the physical Chubb on the play that resulted in his knee injury. He also told Chubb that he wasn’t intentionally trying to hurt him while the latter was on the ground in pain on Monday.

Fitzpatrick was injured on the same play.

He returned to the game before sustaining a chest injury in the third quarter while making a tackle on a 69-yard run by Chubb’s replacement at running back, Jerome Ford.

Fitzpatrick was taken to a local hospital for precautionary reasons. Although he did not participate in practice on Wednesday, he expects to play for Pittsburgh (1-1) in its road game against the Las Vegas Raiders (1-1) on Sunday night.

Fitzpatrick, 26, has recorded 10 tackles and two pass deflections in two games (both starts) this season.

A three-time All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowl selection, Fitzpatrick has 458 tackles, 19 interceptions, 49 passed defensed, four forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries and five touchdowns in 81 career games (76 starts) with the Miami Dolphins (2018-19) and Steelers.

–Field Level Media

Sep 18, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) warms up before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Steelers’ Minkah Fitzpatrick released from hospital

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Pittsburgh Steelers star safety Minkah Fitzpatrick was released from a local hospital after sustaining a chest injury in Monday’s game against the visiting Cleveland Browns, NFL Network reported Tuesday.

Per the report, precautionary scans for what was believed to be a chest contusion came back negative.

Fitzpatrick initially was injured on the same play that sidelined Browns running back Nick Chubb in the second quarter of the Steelers’ 26-22 victory. Fitzpatrick returned to the game before being injured in the third quarter while making a tackle on a 69-yard run by Cleveland running back Jerome Ford.

Fitzpatrick, 26, has recorded 10 tackles and two pass deflections in two games (both starts) this season.

A three-time All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowl selection, Fitzpatrick has 458 tackles, 19 interceptions, 49 passed defensed, four forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries and five touchdowns in 81 career games (76 starts) with the Miami Dolphins (2018-19) and Steelers.

The Steelers (1-1) will face the Raiders in Las Vegas on Sunday night.

–Field Level Media

Nov 13, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick laughs on the sidelines before a game against the New Orleans Saints at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports

Steelers’ Minkah Fitzpatrick (appendectomy) in line to play vs. Bengals

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Minkah Fitzpatrick did not receive an injury designation on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ final injury report Friday, putting the All-Pro safety in line to play against the Cincinnati Bengals a week after undergoing an appendectomy.

“The worry is when they cut you open, they cut through muscle, obviously to get into your stomach,” Fitzpatrick said, per ESPN. “So you just want to make sure that that’s healed properly before you get out there and go.”

Fitzpatrick, 26, underwent the procedure last Saturday and then attended the team’s home game against the New Orleans Saints the following day.

He did not participate in practice on Wednesday before returning with full participation during the sessions on both Thursday and Friday.

In seven games this season, Fitzpatrick has three interceptions — one returned for a touchdown in the 23-20 overtime win over the Bengals on Sept. 11 — and six passes defended along with 45 tackles.

Cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon (hamstring) was the lone Steelers’ player ruled out for Sunday’s contest.

The Bengals, in turn, ruled out wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase (hip), defensive tackle Josh Tupou (calf) and defensive back Daxton Hill (shoulder) for Sunday’s game.

Running back Chris Evans (knee) and cornerback Tre Flowers (hamstring) are questionable to play against Pittsburgh.

–Field Level Media

Oct 30, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) runs off the field at half-time against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Steelers’ T.J. Watt activated; Minkah Fitzpatrick (appendicitis) out Sunday

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The Pittsburgh Steelers activated linebacker T.J. Watt, who missed seven games with a pectoral injury, off injured reserve on Saturday.

The defense, however, will be without fellow All-Pro Minkah Fitzpatrick on Sunday against the New Orleans Saints. The safety is out with appendicitis.

In addition, the team placed cornerback William Jackson III (back) on injured reserve and elevated safety Elijah Riley to the active list for the game.

Watt sustained his injury in the season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals and returned to practice on Oct. 26. He also underwent minor knee surgery while he was sidelined.

“It’s huge to finally have a helmet back on and be out there on the field, Watt told reporters Friday. “Just to feel the emotions and feel alive again in the stadium.”

Watt had a sack and interception before leaving the game in Week 1. Last season, the three-time All-Pro tied Michael Strahan (2001) for the most sacks (22.5) in a season since the stat became official in 1982.

The Steelers (2-6) can use the help on defense, especially with Fitzpatrick ruled out.

In seven games this season, Fitzpatrick has three interceptions — one returned for a touchdown — and six passes defensed along with 45 tackles.

The Steelers acquired Jackson in a trade with the Washington Commanders on Nov. 1. He has yet to play for Pittsburgh because of the back injury.

In 75 career games (64 starts) with the Cincinnati Bengals and Commanders, Jackson has 205 career tackles with five interceptions, 51 passes defensed and one sack. He returned one interception for a score.

Riley was promoted from the practice squad in Week 6 and played 13 percent of defensive snaps.

–Field Level Media

Sep 11, 2022; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) reacts after blocking a field goal attempt by the Cincinnati Bengals in the second half at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports

Steelers S Minkah Fitzpatrick enters concussion protocol

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Pittsburgh Steelers All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick is in the concussion protocol, coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday.

Fitzpatrick was assessed for a concussion after Thursday’s 29-17 loss to the Cleveland Browns. It wasn’t clear at what point in the game Fitzpatrick might have sustained the concussion.

Tomlin said he wasn’t prepared to begin planning to play the New York Jets on Sunday without Fitzpatrick, who wears multiple hats in the Pittsburgh defense.

“I’m not ready to suggest that at this point. I’m just acknowledging that he’s in the protocol,” Tomlin said.

Fitzpatrick, 29, has two interceptions in the first three games of the season, returning one for a score.

A first-team All-Pro, Fitzpatrick has 376 tackles, 15 interceptions, 38 passed defensed, four forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries and four touchdowns in 67 career games (62 starts) with the Miami Dolphins (2018-19) and Steelers (2019-22).

–Field Level Media

Jun 9, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) participates in minicamp at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Steelers S Minkah Fitzpatrick returns to practice

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Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick returned to practice on Thursday after he was activated off the non-football injury list.

Fitzpatrick missed the start of training camp after hurting his wrist following a fall from his bicycle.

The 25-year-old Fitzpatrick signed a four-year, $73.6 million contract extension in June.

Fitzpatrick started his career with the Dolphins in 2018 and was traded the Steelers the following season after 18 games in Miami. In 46 games (all starts) in Pittsburgh, Fitzpatrick has 203 tackles, 11 interceptions, three forced fumbles and three touchdowns with 27 passes defended.

He’s been named a first-team All-Pro twice in his first four seasons.

–Field Level Media

Jun 9, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) participates in minicamp at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Steelers S Minkah Fitzpatrick (wrist) put on NFI list

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The Pittsburgh Steelers placed safety Minkah Fitzpatrick on the non-football injury list after he hurt his wrist on vacation, coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday.

The injury occurred when Fitzpatrick fell off a bicycle, Tomlin said.

In addition, the Steelers put veteran defensive tackle Tyson Alualu on the physically unable to perform list with knee swelling. Neither injury is expected to be serious.

Fitzpatrick, 25, started his career with the Dolphins in 2018 and was traded the Steelers the following season after 18 games in Miami. In 46 games (all starts) in Pittsburgh, Fitzpatrick has 203 tackles, 11 interceptions, three forced fumbles and three touchdowns with 27 passes defended.

He’s been named a first-team All-Pro twice in his first four seasons.

Alualu, 35, is entering his sixth season in Pittsburgh after beginning his career with the Jacksonville Jaguars, who selected him in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft.

In 174 career games (111 starts), he has tallied 403 tackles, 24.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.

–Field Level Media

Dec 9, 2021; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) in action against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Minkah Fitzpatrick: Deal shows Steelers’ ‘commitment to winning’

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A day after Pittsburgh made him the NFL’s highest-paid safety, Minkah Fitzpatrick said his payday once again proves that the Steelers are committed to winning now.

“The thing I appreciate most about this organization is commitment to winning,” Fitzpatrick told reporters Thursday at Pittsburgh’s minicamp. “Everything we do, even me coming here, is a commitment to winning.”

Fitzpatrick noted how the Steelers originally acquired him in a trade with the Miami Dolphins just hours after learning that then-quarterback Ben Roethlisberger had suffered a season-ending injury in Week 2 of 2019.

“It could’ve been a season where we lost our starting quarterback, legendary Hall of Fame quarterback, it could’ve been a season where they just tanked and decided to call it quits. But they went out and acquired me and acquired a few other guys and said we’re going to do what we’ve got to do to win games.”

Fitzpatrick, 25, agreed to a four-year extension Wednesday that reportedly pays him more than $18.4 million per season. That eclipses Jamal Adams’ $17.5 million salary with the Seattle Seahawks.

A two-time Pro Bowl selection and two-time All-Pro, Fitzpatrick recorded a career-high 124 tackles to go with two interceptions in 16 starts for the Steelers last season.

Fitzpatrick said the new contract strengthens his commitment to reward the Steelers for their faith.

“These guys trust me with this amount of money, so now it’s my duty to go out there and play at a high level and show them that I deserve this compensation,” he said.

Fitzpatrick has 352 tackles, 13 interceptions, five fumble recoveries and four forced fumbles in 64 career games (59 starts) with the Dolphins and Steelers. He was selected by the Dolphins with the 11th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.

–Field Level Media