"Man, F*** That": Steelers' DeShon Elliott Calls Out Fans For Not Knowing Ball

The Pittsburgh Steelers have gone through a ton of change over the last two offseasons. General Manager Omar Khan has been aggressive in making moves, and former head coach Mike Tomlin stepping down also enacted a ton of change. The Steelers have almost an entirely new coaching staff for the 2026 season led by new head coach Mike McCarthy, and that comes with some roster changes as well. Pittsburgh hasn't parted ways with anyone major during the 2026 offseason, but Khan wasn't afraid to do that in 2025. That was made evident when the general manager agreed to send Minkah Fitzpatrick to the Miami Dolphins.

Pittsburgh dealt Fitzpatrick to the Dolphins in exchange for Jalen Ramsey, Jonnu Smith, and a seventh-round pick in 2027. The Steelers also gave up a fifth-round pick in the deal. Smith has already been released by the Steelers after just one season, and Ramsey seems to be transitioning to safety. Fitzpatrick's final season with Pittsburgh was in 2024, and he played alongside DeShon Elliott for that final year. Elliott joined Cam Heyward on his podcast Not Just Football on Wednesday, and the two discussed how they felt about Fitzpatrick getting traded.

"Look, if I'm being real, people were trying to knock him, say his ball production was low, that it was down that year," Elliott said. "Listen man, they don't understand what Minkah brings to a team. They don't understand what Minkah brings to the locker room as a leader, man. He's a Band-Aid for everything. Minkah Fitzpatrick can do it all. People were trying to say, 'Oh, he wasn't up to what we were paying him.' Man, f*ck that! If y'all really know what's going on here on this football field, that's a lie bro."

Elliott was quick to defend Fitzpatrick, who was under fire during his last couple of seasons in Pittsburgh. The main reason was his lack of interceptions, which dropped off completely. It was hard to defend his salary when he was not producing like he used to. If the Steelers had found a way to move his contract, the organization had to do it.

Fitzpatrick was still an above-average safety, but his contract could no longer be justified. Elliott and the former Steeler were close as they played the same position and are around the same age. Elliott mentioned that he loved getting to play alongside Fitzpatrick, and that being a possibility was a big reason that he chose to sign with the Steelers in free agency back during the 2024 offseason.

The Steelers now have some question marks at safety. Ramsey is transitioning to play the role more often than cornerback it seems, although no one on the team has confirmed that notion. He will likely remain versatile, but safety will probably be his primary position. Elliott will start beside him, and then the team also has Jaquan Brisker who was recently signed to a one-year deal. Playing three safeties is a current defensive trend in the NFL, and Pittsburgh might be looking to do something similar to that as Brisker is a starting-caliber strong safety himself.

Steelers Could Have Had A Shot To Reunite With Minkah Fitzpatrick

Fitzpatrick spent just one season with the Dolphins before it became abundantly clear that the two sides would be parting ways. It seemed like Fitzpatrick was going to be released, which would have given Pittsburgh a chance to pick him up. However, the New York Jets swooped in and completed a trade for the veteran safety. The Jets also signed him to a three-year extension, which likely solidifies his future with the organization. 

It has been quite the fall from grace for Fitzpatrick as he is now playing for one of the worst franchises in the NFL, but maybe he can help turn things around there.

What do you think about Elliott's comments on the Fitzpatrick trade? Let me know on X, @brogannoey!

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