The urgency to clinch a postseason berth grows by the week, and for the Pittsburgh Steelers, the ice beneath them is thinning fast. Mike Tomlin and his team know the margin for error is as small as it’s been all season. A primetime Monday night matchup against the Miami Dolphins—who have their own playoff expectations—doesn’t simplify things.
But what complicates it even more is the familiar face standing on the opposing sideline: Minkah Fitzpatrick.
For the first time since being traded, the former All-Pro safety will face his old team under the bright lights. It’s a moment many players circle on the calendar, even if they won’t admit it. If I were Fitzpatrick, this game would have been highlighted in neon.
And rightfully so.
His impact in Pittsburgh is undeniable. During his six-year run with the Steelers, Fitzpatrick racked up more than 500 tackles and 18 interceptions, routinely acting as the defense’s security blanket. His presence erased mistakes, tightened coverage, and kept explosive offenses from running wild. He was the last line of defense—and a dependable one.
When Omar Khan made the bold decision to ship Fitzpatrick to Miami in exchange for Jalen Ramsey, Jonnu Smith, and draft compensation, it was sold as a roster remodel. But the early results revealed a defense still adjusting to life without its former leader. Ramsey brought star power and swagger, but the production gap is harder to mask.
Jalen Ramsey must prove the Steelers made the right trade during Monday Night Football
This season, the Steelers rank 28th in passing yards allowed per game at 244—16 more than last year. The ground game hasn’t been much kinder. Pittsburgh is surrendering 125.3 rushing yards per contest (21st), and a troubling 188.3 over the last three outings. Contrast that with the manageable 109.8 they gave up in 2024, and it’s clear something foundational has slipped.
Some of that drop-off lands on scheme, injuries, and poor tackling. But a chunk of it points to the swap that sent Fitzpatrick out and brought Ramsey in. To Ramsey’s credit, he hasn’t played exclusively at safety this season, yet he’s logged enough reps there to fairly compare his impact to the man he replaced.
Ramsey’s 41 tackles, two tackles for loss, and one interception are respectable. They’re veteran caliber numbers. But Fitzpatrick’s campaign in Miami—54 tackles, three tackles for loss, and one interception—shows the two are closer in production than fans might think.
On paper, it’s nearly a wash. On the field, Monday night will be anything but.
This matchup isn’t about proving who the better safety is in a vacuum—it’s about who steps up when their team needs them most. The Steelers’ postseason dreams are dangling by a thread, and Ramsey must become the difference-maker Pittsburgh believed it was acquiring. Against a high-powered Miami offense where every snap matters, his goal is clear: outplay Minkah Fitzpatrick.
Not match him. Not mirror him. Outplay him.
The Steelers made their choice when they sent Fitzpatrick away. Now, under the glare of primetime football, Jalen Ramsey has the chance to prove they made the right one.