PITTSBURGH — It was more than 45 minutes since practice at Saint Vincent College ended on a hot August afternoon. Minkah Fitzpatrick He was still present on the field.
The on-field portion of that day’s training camp was over, but the Pittsburgh Steelers Safety was still a challenge. He worked together with a staffer to catch dozens of balls from all angles.
“[Defensive backs] coach Grady Brown, he says it all the time, ‘We are receivers as DBs. We have to have a 100% catch rate, but we catch almost 100% less passes than what the receiver catches,” Fitzpatrick said, sweat dripping off him as he caught his breath.
“It’s important to get as many catches as the receiver does, whether it be straight on or distracted or the two at once. I think it’s important to get your hands used to securing the ball.”
He placed his hand on his shoulder and moved from his left to his right until he was happy with all the repetitions.
Fitzpatrick is never satisfied. It’s what keeps him returning to the football field and the Steelers’ practice facility every day, arriving early and leaving late. It’s what makes him the kind of leader the Steelers need in the wake of the T.J. Watt pectoral injury that can endanger their season.
For the Steelers to survive at least a month-long stretch without Watt — including Thursday night’s game against the Cleveland Browns (8:15 p.m. ET, Prime Video – Fitzpatrick will be a focal point in the defense as a leader or ballhawk creating the type of splash plays that can infuse it with contagious energy.
“Minkah is a serious competitor,” coach Mike Tomlin said during training camp. “… He is always looking for a way in. He would like to be a receiver. He would like to tackle running backs. He loves to blitz. He’s a football player. He’s a guy that loves football. He’s a guy that loves competition, and boy, he’s just really a good guy to have in an environment like this because there’s never a down day with him. He’s always about it. He’s always ready to work.”
Fitzpatrick proved his worth from the moment that the Steelers traded a record-setting first-round selection to acquire the Alabama standout, Troy Polamalu. Fitzpatrick was believed by the Steelers to be the anchor of their secondary. He won two national championships in three years and could become the next generation of defensive players like Troy Polamalu. Fitzpatrick responded when he made his debut against the Steelers. San Francisco 49ers. He had five picks in seven of his first seven games.
“He’s vocal, he’s intense, he’s a big-time player and he has been since the day we acquired him on a short week going into San Francisco,” Tomlin said. “He was vocal that week.”
Fitzpatrick recorded four interceptions in 2021. However, his responsibilities changed and his focus largely remained on stopping the run. He was able to finish his career with 124 tackles.
Fitzpatrick, who was the highest-paid NFL safety with a $73.6-million 4-year contract, was offered by the Steelers to Fitzpatrick so that he could return to his ballhawking ways in 2022.
“Guys like him, they want to be great,” defensive coordinator Teryl Austin said during training camp. “They want to win every play. … He sees the game faster than a lot of people I’ve ever seen. Ed Reed was the best person I had the opportunity to work with. (Austin was Reed’s position coach with the Ravens in 2011-12) He saw the game faster than anybody I ever played with back there.
“It’s a unique trait, and that’s what makes those guys great. We’ve just gotta get him back to getting the turnovers.”
Fitzpatrick’s doing just that, two games into the game.
Fitzpatrick reads the defense play for the second time this season. Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow And jumped in front of the receiver Tyler Boyd. Fitzpatrick grabbed the ball and ran it 31 yards back to the end zone, scoring a pick-six. He then forced overtime by blocking an additional point attempt when time expired. He baited the Patriots. Mac Jones Toss the middle. DeVante ParkerThe inside linebacker was matched up with, who seemed to have a significant advantage Robert Spillane. Fitzpatrick sprung into action, rocketing toward Parker to intercept Jones’ pass.
Fitzpatrick’s versatility and ability to play anywhere on the field is part of what makes him such a dangerous threat. It’s something he resisted initially in Miami, but he found he was most effective in that role in Pittsburgh.
“I feel like when people know where I’m at they either choose not to go there or they scheme something away from me,” Fitzpatrick said. “But I think moving me around to get me in, in different positions — and I’m not saying every single play — but just give the offense different looks.”
For all the electricity Fitzpatrick brings on the field with his playmaking, he’s quiet in the locker room. He’s among the team’s most prolific trash talkers, but in his day-to-day, Fitzpatrick keeps to himself as he goes about his routine.
“He always comes in with his bag and his notes ready to write,” said running back Najee Harris, who’s known Fitzpatrick since he was 18 and was his teammate at Alabama. “… “… … He’s always here till about 7 p.m. I’m here late, and he’s always here later than me.”
Fitzpatrick works late because he’s a self-described perfectionist and competitor. Even Harris, who’s a workaholic himself, said the most impressive thing about Fitzpatrick is his commitment to his craft.
“I don’t think being a perfectionist on the football field is a bad thing,” Fitzpatrick said. “I feel like I learn from my mistakes. They are not something I dwell on.
“… “… … People hold me to a high standard because I hold myself to a high standard. And anything short of that, they checked me on it.”
That combination makes him a natural leader, even if he’s not an officially elected captain. Cornerback Levi WallaceFitzpatrick’s friend, Jeremy, also played at Alabama with Fitzpatrick and is close to him. He said that he voted for Fitzpatrick as a captain. Cam Heyward T.J. Watt.
“Everybody knows he’s one of the leaders on the team, whether he walks out there for a coin toss or not,” Wallace said. “We know who he is and what he does for this team. The way he leads, he doesn’t have to talk too much. It’s about his actions. A guy like that pushes your boundaries without ever trying to push. You wanna work harder because he’s working so hard.”
The goal right now is to fill the Watt void. Fitzpatrick may be eligible for a major honor if he plays at the same level as he did this season.
“Great players, they’re going to go out there and play great,” safety Terrell Edmunds said. “He’s gonna go out there and put his best foot forward. And if he continues to have games like he did (against the Bengals), which I know he can, then definitely he’s gonna be up in the conversation for Defensive Player of the Year.”