Minkah Fitzpatrick knows how to make an early impression. Back in 2019, when he first joined the Pittsburgh Steelers, it took no time at all for him to solidify himself as a difference-maker in the defensive backfield.
Of course, just a few years later, all of those splash plays were gone. Whether it was because quarterbacks began simply avoiding the middle of the field, or because he lost a step, has been the debate for the past two seasons.
In his last 27 games with the Steelers, Fitzpatrick had a single interception and just seven pass breakups. Last year, he allowed a career-worst 78.8% completion percentage in his coverage area for a career-high 540 yards and four touchdowns. It’s been some time since Pittsburgh fans have had a reminder of the game-changing abilities Fitzpatrick can bring to the table.
Former Pittsburgh Steeler Minkah Fitzpatrick looks like his old self at Dolphins camp
But now that he’s back in Miami, he has another shot at placing himself among the best safeties in the NFL. It took a little time for Fitzpatrick to find his footing publicly, but he’s already making the same kind of plays that made him an All-Pro in Pittsburgh.
In Sunday’s practice, Fitzpatrick played over the top of superstar wideout Tyreek Hill on an out-breaking route, putting himself in position to snag an interception off Tua Tagovailoa, which he took back for a pick-six.
Minkah magic 🪄 pic.twitter.com/eL6ax0x16N
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) August 3, 2025
The Dolphins are certainly happy to have him back in the fold. Defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver sang his new superstar’s praises Monday during a press conference.
“Minkah’s a stud,” he said with a smile. “I’m so happy that he’s here. Not just because of who he is as a player, but also the intangibles he brings off the field. I can see us doing some things with him, and I’ll have to wait for the opponents to try to figure that out come the regular season. But we have plans for sure.”
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Fitzpatrick is heading into his eighth NFL season, back with the team that drafted him No. 11 overall in the 2018 NFL Draft out of Alabama. There’s certainly been peaks and valleys in his pro career, but the peaks have been remarkable, and the Dolphins are no doubt hoping to see those instances surface once again.
Of course, many Steelers fans are quietly rooting for Fitzpatrick to get back to form in 2025. Though no one in Pittsburgh is going to feel too bad if he plays like his 2023-24 self in Week 15 when the Steelers host the Dolphins for Monday Night Football.