Omar Khan said he would improve the Pittsburgh Steelers by any means necessary. That’s a bold declaration in a city where patience is thin, and expectations are heavy. Fan frustration is growing louder, and ownership feels the pressure. With so much riding on this transitional stretch, even ideas that once felt impossible suddenly deserve consideration.
Including a reunion with Minkah Fitzpatrick.
It sounds dramatic and possibly unlikely. But the NFL offseason rarely respects comfort zones.
The Miami Dolphins have reportedly shopped Fitzpatrick in an effort to shed his $18.8 million cap hit, according to ESPN’s Brooke Pryor. If Miami ultimately releases him, the door slightly cracks open for Pittsburgh. And that’s where things get complicated.
The Steelers closed the chapter on Fitzpatrick in a massive trade that brought in Jalen Ramsey and Jonnu Smith. That move reflected a different coaching staff and a different agenda. It was aggressive and reflected forward-thinking. It was meant to reshape the roster’s identity.
But this is a new era under Mike McCarthy.
His debut season carries weight, and the front office knows it. Stability on defense suddenly feels less like a luxury and more like a necessity. And if there’s one thing Fitzpatrick provided during his six-year run in Pittsburgh, it was stability in the deep third.
The Pittsburgh Steelers should not feel bad for considering a Minkah Fitzpatrick resigning
In 2025, the Steelers’ defense under Teryl Austin ranked 29th in opponent passing attempts per game (35.8). That statistic speaks loudly. Offensive coordinators weren’t afraid to air it out. They didn’t respect the back end the way they once did. The disguises weren’t as effective. The range wasn’t as intimidating.
Fitzpatrick used to erase mistakes before they became touchdowns.
Now, at 30 years old, he’s no longer the ascending All-Pro who first electrified Pittsburgh. But he’s far from finished. Last season in Miami, he recorded 82 total tackles and six pass deflections in 14 starts. He remains instinctive. He still understands route concepts. And perhaps most importantly, he understands Pittsburgh.
Culture matters here.
Re-signing a player one season after trading him would require humility from both sides. It would mean admitting the previous plan didn’t fully work. It would also signal urgency. Some might interpret that as desperation. But I see it differently.
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I see a front office willing to correct course if necessary.
Would Fitzpatrick even entertain it? That’s the other half of this equation. Professional pride runs deep. Being traded stings. But so does instability. If Miami moves on, returning to a franchise where he once thrived might not feel like regression — it might feel like unfinished business.
Pittsburgh’s secondary lacked cohesion last season. They missed a true centerfielder. They missed communication that prevented explosive plays. Fitzpatrick alone wouldn’t patch every hole. But he could be a vital piece in rebuilding trust on the back end.
If he’s released, I wouldn’t fault Khan for making the call.
Sometimes growth isn’t about finding something new. Sometimes it’s about recognizing what you let go too soon — and having the courage to welcome it back.