The Pittsburgh Steelers just signed superstar, All-Pro free safety, Minkah Fitzpatrick to a long-term contract extension to keep him in black and gold until the 2027 season! The contract was massive and made the Steelers safety the highest paid safety ever in the history of the National Football League.
The safety sat down with Steelers' reporter Mike Prisuta in an interview that was released just hours ago to discuss why it was important to get the extension done and how he's grown since the Steelers traded for him.
Oct 10, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) in run coverage against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 27-19. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Prisuta asked:
"Why was it important to you to extend and continue your career with Steelers?"
"Yeah, Pittsburgh is a great, great organization. I've had a lot of success the last few years, still learning, still growing. I'm comfortable, but also challenged at the same time with being here. And I think it's a healthy environment for myself and my family, for our future. So we just wanted to get it done when we get it done before camp, knock it out the way. So there was no interference in that sense in preparation. We're happy, we're blessed. We're fortunate to have gotten it done when we did, and now we're just ready to handle business."
Pittsburgh Steelers safety, Minkah Fitzpatrick (#39) participates in Organized Team Activities (OTA's) on Tuesday, May 24, 2022 at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. (Abigail Dean/Pittsburgh Steelers)
Fitzpatrick was asked how he's different now than the guy the Steelers traded for in 2019.
"I think I'm a whole lot more, just aware of the player that I am. I know my strengths, I know my weaknesses. I think at that time, I was still finding out who I was, you know what I'm saying? I didn't even play the position that I got traded for until I got to Pittsburgh, you know what I'm saying? I didn't really plan any free safety until I got here, so I was still learning and still developing, still learning the defense, you know what I'm saying, as I was playing. So I never got to really solidify and find out my identity as a player. And I think right now I know who I am. I know my strengths, I know my weaknesses. I really found a good routine in my study, in my tape, and with the hub of Coach T [Mike Tomlin], Coach TA [DC Teryl Austin], Coach Grady [Brown], all those guys helping me out and challenging me. So I think the only difference is I know who I am as a player. I know my strengths, I know my weaknesses. I know what I need to get better at and really focus on."
"Who are you? Are you comfortable talking about that guy, that player?"
"I think I'm an athletic guy, a versatile guy, a guy that uses his IQ along with the athleticism and versatility. If you ask anybody about me on the team, they'll say I'm a passionate guy and I love what I do. So I think that just trickles over into every single area of how I play the game. So I think, like I said, I'm an athlete who is smart and loves the game, and I think those are who I am."
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - NOVEMBER 01: Free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick #39 and cornerback Justin Layne #31 of the Pittsburgh Steelers hit wide receiver Willie Snead #83 of the Baltimore Ravens on the last play of the game during the Steelers 28-24 win at M&T Bank Stadium on November 01, 2020 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
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