The Pittsburgh Steelers' defense was hampered by injuries during the 2023 season. After enduring the loss of TJ Watt for the bulk of the 2022 season, it was hard to envision anything being that bad, but last season came close.
Associated Press
Steelers' TJ Watt walks off the field after a 2023 game.
It started with captain Cameron Heyward, who was hurt during Week 1, and it just piled up from there. The team lost critical defensive components throughout the season at different times, like Cole Holcomb, Kwon Alexander, Montravius Adams, Keanu Neal, and Minkah Fitzpatrick. Some players were out for just a few games, and some, like Holcomb and Alexander, saw their season end early.
The injury to Fitzpatrick caused a ripple effect in the defense. You can't just replace a safety of his caliber, but the Damontae Kazee suspension only made finding the answer more challenging. All of that chaos and change weakened the Steelers' usually stout defense.
Fitzpatrick suffered a hamstring injury during Week 8 and missed four games. He returned only to break his hand during the loss to the Arizona Cardinals. No one can ever claim that Fitzpatrick isn't tough; he was given a cast midway through the game and returned to the field. He continued to play before sustaining a knee injury late in the season.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers All-Pro safety, Minkah Fitzpatrick during a Week 8 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
That's why it was surprising to see how Pro Football Focus ranked Fitzpatrick on their list of the top 32 safeties heading into the 2024 season.
"Injuries in 2023 slowed Fitzpatrick, who missed multiple games and had a down year overall," wrote PFF's Zoltan Buday. "While his run defense grade still finished about 80.0, Fitzpatrick earned a coverage grade below 70.0 for just the second time in the past five seasons, while logging a career-low 625 snaps, including the postseason."
They ranked him fourth behind Jessie Bates, Kyle Hamilton, and Antoine Winfield Jr. Fitzpatrick is undoubtedly in good company on that list. Still, PFF seriously underestimates his abilities and how much he is constantly being played out of place. To make up for the many injuries, the Steelers kept looking for solutions, and one of those was to try Fitzpatrick all over the field.
The unfortunate injuries forced Fitzpatrick to be used more in the box, limiting his time in the center of the field. Fitzpatrick is like a football bloodhound; he can sniff out plays and act like a ball hawk. However, how they needed to use him hampered his natural abilities and led to his worst statistical season in Pittsburgh.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick was asked to wear many hats last season.
Assuming no other tragic injuries befall the Steelers anytime soon, Fitzpatrick should likely be able to return to his position of glory. All of the additions Pittsburgh made on their defense this offseason will help him again be a top safety in the league, likely even higher than fourth on PFF's next list.
The Steelers' Brass Weren't Taking Any Chances
After watching the defense struggle in 2023 with injury after injury, General Manager Omar Khan wasn't leaving it all to chance. While Holcomb may return to the lineup, there is no guarantee. The new signings like DeShon Elliott should help provide relief and assistance to Fitzpatrick in the secondary. They still have Kazee on the roster, and it will be interesting to see which of the two takes the lead, or if they split snaps. Many believe that the signing of new cornerback Donte Jackson will also help free Fitzpatrick up.
Pittsburgh has struggled with injuries at the inside linebacker position since Ryan Shazier; Holcomb and Alexander are the latest examples. The signing of Patrick Queen from the Baltimore Ravens is the latest answer to that problem. Khan was apparently done signing mid-level players and hoping they would work out. He swung for the fences and made the Steelers' biggest free agent signing in team history. Queen's consistent efforts on the inside should help Fitzpatrick get back to sniffing out interceptions.
Sebastian Foltz / Post-Gazette
Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen (#6) runs on the field as the team warms up before 2024 Organized Team Activities.
It seems clear that the franchise recognizes what they have in Fitzpatrick and did all they could over the offseason to help him get back to doing what he does best. What do you think about Fitzpatrick being ranked fourth? Click to comment below.
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