Steelers' Usage Of Minkah Fitzpatrick Is An Intentional Part Of Team's "Formula" In 2024

The Pittsburgh Steelers have the most expensive defense in the NFL, so there were expectations coming into the 2024 season. Players with amazing talent and sizeable paychecks, like TJ Watt, Cameron Heyward, Minkah Fitzpatrick, and Alex Highsmith, are most often under the spotlight. One defender who's received criticism is Fitzpatrick. He hasn't had an interception since the end of the 2022 season. However, according to some Steelers insiders, the fans are more worried about this than the team. 

Recently, Bob Pompeani, host of KDKA's Cochran Sports Showdown, was joined by Ray Fittipaldo and Brian Batko from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, and Chris Adamski from the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. They discussed the Steelers' season, including Fitzpatrick's surprising lack of splash plays. Pompeani said having Fitzpatrick play all over the field is the wrong way to use him. Fittipaldo, Batko, and Adamski don't believe that the organization doesn't necessarily see it that way. 

"That is their plan," said Fittipaldo. "They want him playing deep. We got a hint a couple weeks ago that things were going to change with the return of Cam Sutton, but it's been 15-20 plays a game, and we haven't seen him step back and take over free safety so Minkah can play closer to the line of scrimmage. They like him in that role; it's not conducive to his turnovers, but listen, they are 8-3 to this point, and they've done it without Minkah being a factor in the turnover game."

Batko agreed, saying that it is a bit of a catch-22. It is ideal to have Fitzpatrick in the back to make those instinctual plays and be that deep threat. But when you do that, you lose the other ways Fitzpatrick impacts the defense, the pressure, and the way he frees up others. 

"It's almost getting comical; what is it," asked Adamski. "Six DBs have an interception, everybody else has an interception; [Damontae] Kazee, [DeShon] Elliott, go up and down the line. They are 8-3, like Ray said, but more than that, they are among the league leaders in takeaways, among league leaders in interceptions. How's the sausage made? Does it matter if it's Minkah making them? Is he part of the formula that's causing them? You have to think with his history, pedigree, and resume of things he's put out there on takeaways that has to be affecting other team's offensive coordinators, and you're getting the takeaways one way or another."

Batko added that fans complained that Fitzpatrick was too stationary a few years ago, saying he needed to be moved around more. Even Fitzpatrick, who wanted out of the Miami Dolphins, felt he was best as a center fielder.  

Fitzpatrick is the third leading tackler on the team, with 61 total tackles. He also has one forced fumble and two passes defended. While that is a far cry from 2022's Fitzpatrick, who had six interceptions, it also shows how the Steelers' defense is evolving. 

Steelers' Defense Is Not A Cause For Concern

After the team lost to the Cleveland Browns in Week 12, many fans are concerned about the team's state, particularly the defense. The team has started nearly every game slowly this season, but has come back and built a lead that they either blow or come close to blowing, like against the New York Giants. 

While most Steelers insiders believe some changes need to be made on defense, like moving Watt around more, they are not concerned about the defense as a whole. Instead, they feel that the offense must help the defense by sustaining drives to give them rest and putting points on the board instead of relying on field goals. 

Regardless, Mark Kaboly from The Pat McAfee Show said that despite all the snippy comments after the loss to the Browns, he believes the leaders on this team, like Heyward and Russell Wilson, will hold them together and help them bounce back.  

What do you think about Fitzpatrick's play since 2022? Click to comment below. 

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