4 Steelers players rapidly trending down heading into the bye week

Chase Claypool #11 of the Pittsburgh Steelers. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
Chase Claypool #11 of the Pittsburgh Steelers. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /
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Green Bay Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb (18) rushes with the football as Pittsburgh Steelers free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39). Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

Steelers FS Minkah Fitzpatrick

Even with a big forced fumble that had the potential to seal the game for the Steelers last week if it had been recovered, Minkah Fitzpatrick has been mediocre at best to begin the 2021 season. Nobody ever likes to point the finger at their star players, but I’m not afraid to address the elephant in the room.

Despite back-to-back dominant seasons in Pittsburgh, the two-time First-Team All-Pro safety has since crash-landed on the football field in 2021. Perhaps asked to wear many hats this season, the results have been less than desirable. Not only has Fitzpatrick failed to earn an interception through the first 6 games of the season, but he also has just one splash play of any kind and hasn’t earned as much as a single pass defense this year.

This isn’t to say that Fitzpatrick hasn’t been targeted this year. Pro Football Reference has Minkah credited for allowing 17 receptions on 23 targets for 149 yards, 2 touchdowns, and a passer rating of 128.0 surrendered, via Pro Football Reference. This is almost as many times as he has been targeted in each of the last two seasons.

Minkah might never be the most consistent player in coverage, but when he’s not getting takeaways, his flaws are very noticeable. The Steelers may want to think about simplifying his role in the secondary. Either way, he needs to start capitalizing on opportunities in the secondary.