Minkah Fitzpatrick won’t be getting an extension any time soon. Since the Steelers recently picked up the safety’s fifth-year option, the team “won’t extend” the player’s contract, per Ed Bouchette of The Athletic.
The fifth-year option locks in Fitzpatrick through the 2022 season, so there’s no urgency on the front office’s part to lock the player in to a long-term pact. After Fitzpatrick plays out the fourth year of his rookie pact in 2021, the defensive back will earn a fully guaranteed $10.612MM in 2022. Of course, this number could end up being irrelevant if Fitzpatrick and the organization agree to an extension next offseason.
Considering the haul Pittsburgh traded to Miami for Fitzpatrick (first-, fifth-, and sixth-round picks), the front office would surely want him in uniform for the foreseeable future. Fitzpatrick has also looked the part of a top safety during his stint in Pittsburgh. The 24-year-old earned his second-straight All-Pro nod in 2021 after tallying four interceptions, 79 total stops, and eleven passes defensed in 16 games. He also took one of those interceptions back for a pick six, giving him four career defensive TDs.
Fitzpatrick isn’t the only Steelers defensive back who’s up for an extension. We learned recently that Joe Haden was pushing for a new deal.
…signs contract…2 days later, wants extension/new contract…(modern NFL player) smh…if you agree to a contract, honor it or don’t sign it!! …old man rant over…
This is a bad take. Im a Steelers fan, and a guy who isnt a fan of guys signing contracts then holding out. He didnt sign a new deal. Its a 5th year option the team picks up. He has no say, take it or don’t play. If he gets hurt, he loses. This isn’t him signing a new long term deal. If you’re going to rant. Understand what you’re ranting about
He hasn’t requested a new contract/extension but ok…
Keep on sheepin’.
Honestly, it wasn’t a specific rant against him, I understand that he’s playing on the rookie deal. It was just more of a “blanket” rant against how I have been reading about so-and-so signs big deal, and wants to restructure or wants a new deal the following week, it seems. I wasn’t specifically singling out Fitzpatrick. My bad for not being more concise. Old coach forgetfulness
Lol lol fair enough! My apologies then!
No need to apologize, I have coached for 36 years and have thick skin. I didn’t think it was out of line or anything. No harm, no foul. It’s all good
Owners don’t honor contracts either. They will cut a player from the contract and payout far less in guarantees. I’m all for player renegotiating an irrelevant contract. Two can play that game.
Rookie contracts are unilateral player has no input. I side with the players 75 percent of the time. They have no certainty in the final year of the contract. The second contract is usually the most important and highest
Guys gotta look out for themselves. After taxes, agent fees, getting themselves and family financially stable, offseason trainers, etc… rookies really don’t make as much as people think. Second contract is key for many of these guys. And one bad injury can put that in jeopardy.
Secure the bag while you can. The game is not always a forgiving one to players post-retirement.
That was a great trade for Pittsburgh. He’s played excellent since getting there.
And, Miami did fine on the trade too. It was a win-win.
Miami had to trade him because he was being a me-first player and complaining about how he was being deployed.
A new coach on a rebuilding team couldn’t have that kind of distraction.
I dunno man, he was on a non-contender, on a rookie deal, and felt he was not being utilized in a way that benefitted him OR the team.
I’d be salty too as a ‘Phins fan (especially then watching what Adams fetched), but can you really blame the guy?
On one hand we bash guys for it being all about the money. Then when they get frustrated about human things like snap counts or playing out of position we essentially tell them to suck it up and wipe their tears with their piles of money…
Well, I mean in hindsight he was right. If I recall correctly, they were playing him at CB when he thought he should be playing safety. Pitt has played him there since the trade, and he’s not only been good there, but All Pro good there.
Close — they were playing him near the LOS as a box safety (SS) instead of centerfield FS.
Basically they were playing him as a Polamalu instead of an Ed Reed. He can do both (and to your point I think played some CB in college), but feels his talents are better suited for the latter. He seems to have been correct….
Steelers will sign TJ Watt to an extension before extending anyone else.
Burn all rookie contracts. Owners will hate that idea but all players should be on a level playing field when it comes to seeking market value.
It was the players who lobbied for the rookie contract structure because they were tired of a rookie QB being picked 1st overall in the latest draft being one of the highest played players in the league. Sam Bradford got the last mega deal as the top draft pick.
I mean imagine if the Dolphins still had him at safety with Howard and Jones at CB? That would be a Legion of Boom level secondary, and it’s already good. Missed opportunity.
Honestly not sure what they were thinking. SS’s are so much easier to come by then legit FS’s. They had one of the best and tried to play him in the box. No one to blame but themselves for that goof.
Having elite players at positions that most teams are content to field average ones is the least appreciated path to contention in sports.
The Steelers win consistently and almost always have an elite safety and center, despite those being rare.
Too bad the elite center is gone now. Pouncey was fun to watch during his peak.