For the first time since he was traded back to the Miami Dolphins, Minkah Fitzpatrick was back on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ home turf of Acrisure Stadium. It was a rough night at the office for the ex-Steelers All-Pro safety, as he and the Dolphins lost 28-15 on Monday night.
Fitpatrick had his struggles, getting the business end of DK Metcalf’s bulldozing catch-and-run touchdown in the third quarter. He finished the game with six total tackles, including one for a loss, but otherwise, he watched as the other two players linked to him in the trade that sent him back to the Dolphins had strong outings. Jalen Ramsey picked up a sack, and Jonnu Smith scored on a 14-yard rushing touchdown to ice the game.
Despite the bullying nature of Metcalf’s run and the final outcome of the game, though, it was clear throughout the evening that there was still nothing but love for Fitzpatrick in his return to Pittsburgh.
Cam Heyward showed exactly why Minkah Fitzpatrick still matters to the Pittsburgh Steelers
After the game, Steelers defensive captain Cam Heyward reflected on sharing the field with Fitzpatrick once again.
“I’ve had the pleasure of playing with a lot of great players, and Minkah is one of them,” Heyward said. “He’s a great friend of mine.”
In the third quarter, Fitzpatrick went down with a calf injury, and nearly the entire Pittsburgh bench cleared to check on him and offer him support.
“That’s my brother. I’m always going to check on him,” Heyward said, referring specifically to an instance where he and other teammates video-called Fitpatrick ahead of the game. “I wish he was here. Mink’s always been a guy that I want to roll with.”
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While it’s been clear that Ramsey has been a dramatic improvement at the free safety spot in Pittsburgh, the trade that sent Fitzpatrick to Miami blindsided many Steelers fans. Despite his drop in production in recent seasons, he was still a fan favorite and contributed in many ways that didn’t show up in the box score.
Though Pittsburgh’s defense has moved on from Fitzpatrick, the camaraderie between former teammates hasn’t faded. It’s a soothing reminder that the NFL isn’t always a facts and numbers business, but a branching community of relationships.