Considering how displeased Minkah Fitpatrick was with his first stint in Miami, no one would be surprised if he was less than thrilled to be back with the team that selected him No. 11 overall in the 2018 NFL Draft. Still, the former Pittsburgh Steelers safety should be doing his best to return to form after two down seasons.
Steelers fans have heard from the players the team acquired in exchange for Fitzpatrick. Jalen Ramsey has fielded questions from reporters in Pittsburgh, and Jonnu Smith issued a public comment after the trade. The same cannot be said for Fitzpatrick in Miami, leading many to believe that he is upset with being back in Miami.
Pittsburgh Steelers’ trade looks smarter as Minkah Fitzpatrick keeps quiet
As Omar Kelly of the Miami Herald pointed out, Fitzpatrick has been a Dolphin for 25 days, and no one has heard his thoughts on the move back to Miami, his relationships with his new teammates, or how he feels about his role in the defense. It has to be a concern for Miami fans until they hear from him.
The strange thing is, Fitzpatrick was seen during the Dolphins’ first practice leading a breakdown in the huddle. Players have expressed their gratitude for his leadership and athletic ability. He’s made plays in practice, too.
Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel confirmed that the team double-checked with Fitzpatrick to ensure that he was indeed willing to come back to Miami. But even with some of the praise McDaniel and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa have heaped on Fitzpatrick, the strange start to his second stint in Miami is drawing attention.
“He disliked the Dolphins' culture previously, and demanded a trade,” Kelly wrote in a column on Wednesday. “It’s quite possible history could repeat itself, especially in this tumultuous time for the franchise, where McDaniel and general manager Chris Grier enter this season on the NFL’s hottest seats.”
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Of course, the 2025 season is a pivotal one all around for the Dolphins. As Kelly pointed out, both McDaniel and Tagovailoa are on the hot seat after three seasons of inconsistency from both parties. But Fitzpatrick’s baggage from his two most recent seasons in Pittsburgh makes the upcoming season a relative make-or-break scenario for the 28-year-old.
Infamously, Fitzpatrick has just one interception and only seven pass breakups in his last 27 games. In 2024, he also allowed a career-worst 79% competition percentage in his coverage area while also surrendering four touchdowns.
If his strange start with the Dolphins bleeds into the season with further coverage lapses and unspectacular play, the Steelers could be proven right in trading him away, especially if Ramsey and Smith prove fruitful investments on the other side.