The Steelers signed two-time All-Pro safety Minka Fitzpatrick with a new five-year contract. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed by the team.
“We are very excited to sign a new five-year contract with Minka,” said Steelers general manager Omar Khan. “Minka is one of the best defenders in the NFL and we are excited to be in Pittsburgh for at least the next five years. When we traded for him, we knew he would be an integral part of our defense and we look forward to continuing as we prepare for the upcoming season. “
Fitzpatrick said he was happy the deal was done.
SHOP THE MINKAH FITZPATRICK COLLECTION NOW >>>
“I am very excited,” Fitzpatrick said minutes after signing the contract. “I am still in shock at the moment. This is a blessing. I’m really excited. This is only the beginning. I’m grateful. I’m grateful. Now I just want to keep cutting.
“I love history here. What does it mean? The standard we adhere to. Standard coach (Mike) Tomlin keeps us on and off the field. The standard for winning playoff matches, division titles and championship matches.
“I really like it here. I’ve played well over the last three seasons, at a high level. I like the atmosphere, the coaching, the tradition. Being able to continue that for the next few years is definitely a blessing.”
Fitzpatrick has been a support for the Steelers since he was acquired through trading with the Miami Dolphins after week 2 of the 2019 NFL season.
During his time at Steelers, he was twice selected for the first team of the Associated Press All-Pro (2019, 2020) and was voted for the Pro Bowl in both seasons.
He started all 46 games he played for the Steelers, missing just one game in 2021. In his career, he has started 59 of the 64 games he has played.
Fitzpatrick has amassed 350 hits, 237 of which are solo stops, 36 assists, 13 interceptions, including three returns for touchdowns, eight jacks, five loss catches, five recoveries and four forced strikes in his first four seasons in the NFL.
In 2021, Fitzpatrick made his first season of 100 shots when he recorded 124 shots to lead the Steelers, 84 of which were solo stops, along with two interceptions, nine protected passes, one forced camp and one recovery.
“He played great football for us,” Tomlin said after the 2021 season. He was challenged in unique ways because of our fights at times and had over 120 fights during the season. This is a rarity for the safety position. His contribution was enormous. a traffic policeman in the middle of the field. He made all the necessary games. Just think of the significant interruptions of the pass you made in significant moments. The one in Baltimore, with Hollywood Brown on the sidelines, the one on the fourth down in Cleveland a few weeks before handing the ball over to Jarvis Landry to give us a win there. He’s always Johnny in place. He’s the first All-Pro team in my book every year. “
His career record of 124 games led all NFL defenders last season and was tied for fifth place with a defensive back in one season since 2016 and the most defensive back of the Steelers since 1987.
“You can’t just read the report and expect it to be in a certain part of the field,” said Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow in the 2021 season. to find out if the concept of the route allows him to go to a different field. He is not always where you expect him to be. He makes a lot of games doing that. “
Fitzpatrick was consistent throughout the 2021 season, starting with 10 fights against the Buffalo Bills, one of four double-digit games he played during the season.
Add Comment