Steelers Superstar Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick Goes Head to Head with 2nd Round Phenom George Pickens on Tuesday

The last week of Pittsburgh Steelers training camp 2022 in Latrobe, PA is underway. There's still plenty to fine tune however, after the team's first preseason victory of the new league year on Saturday against the Seattle Seahawks. Although many starters were inactive, questions around Devin Bush and the team's run defense still remain, and early injuries are beginning to take its toll in the wide receiver room. Still, there's plenty to be excited about, especially seeing two superstars already in mid-season form.

Pittsburgh Steelers safety, Minkah Fitzpatrick (#39) participates during training camp 2022. | Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)

Minkah Fitzpatrick has been phenomenal throughout training camp and is poised for another All-Pro caliber season. On Tuesday however, the perennial Pro Bowler was tested by rookie sensation, George Pickens. Throughout camp, Head Coach Mike Tomlin has called out several different players for one on one battles, many times asking for the former Alabama standout in Fitzpatrick to step up. Fitzpatrick never shies away from a challenge, and it's rare when he loses a rep. Seeing as how Pickens has dominated all off-season, it was almost as if it were time for Tomlin to put his best defensive back on the young wide out, almost to say, we need to see if anybody can stop this rookie.

Fitzpatrick and Pickens went at it multiple times, and although safeties aren't necessarily known for covering wide outs one on one, Pickens once again proved that he's the real deal (even against the highest paid safety in the league). Check it out:

Here's another one on one match-up a few reps later:

Fitzpatrick also didn't back down from the likes of Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool as well. Take a look:

Now, one could say that it looks like Fitzpatrick had a rough day. Again, he won't be asked to guard any No. 1 receivers this season one on one. That's what Cam Sutton, Ahkello Witherspoon, and Levi Wallace are for. Fitzpatrick was simply taking on the offense's best, and giving them all they could handle. After all, iron sharpens iron, right?

Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin talks with safety Minkah Fitzpatrick during an NFL game against the Buffalo Bills on Dec. 13, 2020, in Orchard Park, N.Y. AP Photo/Adrian Kraus

Steelers Superstar Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick Shines on Thursday in Team's New 1 on 1 Drill at Training Camp

For anyone who might be a little worried now of Fitzpatrick's one on one coverage in the secondary, no need to panic. I think this is more of a testament to how truly amazing and deep the Steelers' wide receiving core is. It has the potential to be really special in 2022. It should also be noted that Fitzpatrick held it down a few times himself as well:

The Steelers defense this season is expected to be elite. With the likes of Fitzpatrick, TJ Watt, Cam Heyward and co., it's actually a promising sign that these offensive player-makers are able to perform extraordinarily well against this defense in these types of situations. If they're able to continuously show up the defense in practice, there's no telling how good this offense can be by the time the regular season rolls around.

Is the glass half empty, or half full? Have yinz been impressed early on with this young receiving core? Or have you seen enough of our defensive backs getting beat in practice? Make sure to click to comment below!

#SteelerNation

MORE STEELERS NEWS

Steelers Rookie Kenny Pickett Took 1st Team Reps During 2-Minute Drills Tuesday

Steelers Offense, Led By Emerging QB Mitch Trubisky, Dominates Defense In Tuesday’s 7 Shots

Steelers Powerful Running Back Master Teague Carted Off During Tuesday’s Practice