Former Steelers All-Pro Minkah Fitzpatrick Gets Contract Adjustment From Dolphins

The Pittsburgh Steelers gave both cornerback Jalen Ramsey and tight end Jonnu Smith a pay raise after they acquired them from the Miami Dolphins. So fittingly, former Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick has now received a pay bump from the Dolphins.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Sunday that the Dolphins agreed to add a $16.245 million signing bonus to Fitzpatrick’s deal.

“Dolphins and their recently-acquired safety Minkah Fitzpatrick have agreed to a revised contract, adding a $16.245 million signing bonus to his deal,” Schefter wrote on X. “There had been no guaranteed money left on the contract, and no additional years were added.”

Fitzpatrick’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, told Schefter that he and the Dolphins are working on a multi-year extension for the safety. But that wasn’t part of this new agreement.

The Steelers traded Fitzpatrick to the Dolphins for Ramsey and Smith. Pittsburgh also sent a 2027 fifth-round pick to Miami while the Dolphins shipped the Steelers a 2027 seventh-round choice.

Minkah Fitzpatrick’s Tenure With the Steelers

The Dolphins drafted Fitzpatrick at No. 11 overall in the 2018 NFL Draft. But during his second season with the team, Miami traded the safety to the Steelers for a first-round pick.

Over six seasons with the Steelers, Fitzpatrick made first-team All-Pro three times and earned five Pro Bowl nominations. During the 2022 season, he was tied for the league-lead with six interceptions.

But 2019 was arguably Fitzpatrick’s best season. While he joined the Steelers after Week 2, he had five interceptions, three fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles in 16 games for Pittsburgh.

Over his last two seasons, though, Fitzpatrick wasn’t the same impactful player. He had one interception and one forced fumble over his final 27 games in black and gold.

The Dolphins obviously hope Fitzpatrick regains some of the playmaking he showcased from 2019-22. If he does, it’s possible the safety will have an opportunity to end his career with the team that drafted him.

Steelers Added Chuck Clark for More Safety Depth

Pittsburgh is likely to replace Fitzpatrick in the starting lineup with veteran Juan Thornhill. At the beginning of training camp, Thornhill appeared to have the inside track to start next to fellow safety DeShon Elliott.

The Steelers, though, signed former Baltimore Ravens and New York Jets safety Chuck Clark on Friday.

“The Steelers have signed safety Chuck Clark, the team announced, adding some depth and competition to their secondary,” wrote The Athletic’s Mike DeFabo on X.

Clark has started 75 games in his NFL career. Last season, he made 12 starts for the Jets.

The Steelers also have Miles Killebrew and Sebastian Castro on their 90-man roster. Killebrew has been a special teams ace for Pittsburgh over several years while Castro is a rookie.

It’s possible Ramsey also contributes at safety this season. Immediately after the June 30 blockbuster deal between the Steelers and Dolphins, team insider Mark Kaboly reported Pittsburgh acquired Ramsey for him to play a versatile role in the team’s secondary.

“They see Jalen Ramsey as an outside corner, slot corner, AND he can take some snaps at safety,” wrote Kaboly on X.