The Best N.F.L. Trade of the Season? Look to Pittsburgh

The Best N.F.L. Trade of the Season? Look to Pittsburgh

After forcing his way out of Miami, Minkah Fitzpatrick has powered the Steelers’ surprising surge into contention.

By Ben Shpigel
Dec. 4, 2019

PITTSBURGH — Minkah Fitzpatrick has always known that playing well gives him options. When he received dozens of scholarship offers in high school, he elected to play at Alabama because it was where he would develop most quickly. Then after his junior season, when the Crimson Tide won the second national title of his tenure and he was honored as college football’s best defensive player, Fitzpatrick entered the N.F.L. draft because he didn’t think he had anything more to prove.

“I know how I am, I know what I can do and how I carry myself,” Fitzpatrick said in an interview. “I’m always going to bet on myself.”

These were, he said recently, strictly “business decisions,” made to augment his brand, potential value and earning power in the N.F.L. The principles steering those choices guided him again after he got there. In mid-September, about 16 months after the Dolphins selected him No. 11 over all, as the first defensive back taken, Fitzpatrick requested a trade because he didn’t think Miami’s new coaching staff was maximizing his abilities.

Fitzpatrick committed to leaving but, unlike unhappy peers in the N.B.A., could not choose where he’d be going. That destination turned out to be Pittsburgh, which surrendered a bounty of draft choices that included its first- and fifth-round picks in 2020. His range, steadiness and turnover-hoarding aptitude at free safety have powered the Steelers’ resurgence to such an extent that their fans might very well consider petitioning to rename the city after him.

Fitzburgh, anyone?

The Steelers (7-5) have vaulted into the A.F.C. playoff chase by winning seven of their 10 games, and six of the last seven heading into Sunday’s game at Arizona, since acquiring Fitzpatrick, who has accounted for eight of the team’s league-leading 28 takeaways over that span — five interceptions, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble — while scoring two touchdowns. Or as many as Odell Beckham Jr., Alvin Kamara and Greg Olsen.

The Steelers’ deal for Fitzpatrick was an isolated occurrence of the player-driven movement that’s common in the N.B.A. but has yet to infiltrate the N.F.L. Really, how often are there trades involving players of his caliber, barely 23 years old and under a contract favorable to his team through 2021?

All professional teams act on their own best interests, signing and cutting players without regret, but the N.F.L.’s system is uniquely crafted to smother player power — with a hard salary cap, a franchise tag, a rookie wage scale. Amid that landscape a few standouts have tried seizing control of their careers.

Amy Trask, the former chief executive officer of the Raiders who worked nearly three decades in the N.F.L., hesitated to label this a trend, acknowledging the different circumstances that affect an organization’s decision. She also speculated that the next iteration of the collective bargaining agreement, which expires after the 2020 season, could also affect players’ empowerment. But she thought it notable that on either side of Fitzpatrick’s departure, two other stars pried their way out in such proximity to one another.

“Clearly, this is something one would never see with people that don’t have that sort of level of gravitas within their organization, if you will,” Trask, now an analyst for CBS, said in a telephone interview.

Fitzpatrick declined to explain why he requested a trade from Miami, where team officials, he said, tried persuading him to reconsider. But he indicated that he was not pleased that the Dolphins wanted to move him around the defensive backfield from week to week instead of anchoring him at one position. By Week 2, when Fitzpatrick played the majority of his defensive snaps at his desired spot, free safety, forcing and recovering a fumble against New England, the rift was beyond repair.

“A lot of people just think that they’re stuck in the situation that they’re in, and that isn’t the case, you know what I’m saying?” Fitzpatrick said in a recent interview at the Steelers’ practice facility. “Some people are. I was fortunate enough to be in a situation where I can speak my mind and share my opinion and also hear their opinion.”

He added: “I didn’t want to leave — I wanted to work things out and communicate and find a way to move forward — but it just didn’t happen, couldn’t happen. We had different opinions.”

At the time, the Dolphins, after detonating their roster to amass draft picks and gain financial flexibility, were 0-2. So were the Steelers, who had far more talent than Miami but had just lost two critical starters to season-ending injuries: quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (elbow) and safety Sean Davis (shoulder). On Sept. 16, hours after announcing that Roethlisberger needed surgery, Pittsburgh took a series of calculated risks.

By Week 2 of this season Fitzpatrick’s rift with Dolphins team officials was beyond repair. “I wanted to work things out and communicate and find a way to move forward,” he said, “but it just didn’t happen, couldn’t happen.”

Not since 1966 had the Steelers parted with a first-round draft selection, and if they were going to do so for Fitzpatrick, they had to believe that the team, led by a backup quarterback, would finish well enough that its pick would fall late in the round, or at least not in the top 10. Otherwise, following a poor season and with their quarterback situation in flux, they would be squandering a prime opportunity to draft Roethlisberger’s successor.

“We end up with our No. 1 being 20th or 25th again, we probably made a good trade,” defensive coordinator Keith Butler said. “I thought we made a good trade anyway, regardless of where we land. I’m glad we got him.”

Coach Mike Tomlin added in an interview, “It really wasn’t a hard decision on our part.”

Tomlin scouted Fitzpatrick twice before the 2018 draft — just in case, Tomlin figured — even though he knew he would be gone when Pittsburgh picked at No. 28. He liked Fitzpatrick’s awareness and his ball skills, communication style and personality. Tomlin said he also valued the versatility that allowed Fitzpatrick to practice at six positions in Miami, though he intends to keep him at free safety, at least for now.

Before Fitzpatrick had practiced with the Steelers, Tomlin announced that he would start that week at San Francisco. The team accommodated Fitzpatrick by simplifying his assignments, giving him a menu of defenses it expected to run so he could relate them to those from his previous schemes. Every week the Steelers have layered on more responsibilities, and Fitzpatrick has conquered them all.

“For a guy who’s only been on the defense for a few weeks still,” outside linebacker T.J. Watt said, “he’s communicating like he’s been in this defense his whole life.”

The Steelers have a rich history of outstanding defensive backs, from Mel Blount to Rod Woodson, Mike Wagner to Donnie Shell. But they haven’t had a player with Fitzpatrick’s acumen and athleticism since Troy Polamalu, curly locks flowing from beneath his helmet, last patrolled the secondary in 2014. Butler said it was too early, and unfair, to compare Fitzpatrick, in his second season, to Polamalu, a former defensive player of the year who’s most likely headed to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

“But I wouldn’t think that would be too far down the line,” Butler, who joined the Steelers’ coaching staff in 2003, the same year they drafted Polamalu, said in an interview. “He has a lot of the same instincts and vision of the field like Troy. We haven’t had it for a while.”

Fitzpatrick refines that intuition during the week. When studying film, he visualizes what he would do if the quarterback looked this way, if the receiver ran this route. He wants the information to be so ingrained that he can just react.

That’s what he did on Nov. 3 against Indianapolis, when after reading the formation and deciphering tight end Jack Doyle’s route, he noticed quarterback Brian Hoyer looking left as his shoulders opened to the right. Before Hoyer released the ball Fitzpatrick had darted toward Doyle, bounding in front to intercept the pass, returning it 96 yards for a touchdown.

“If the ball’s in the air,” cornerback Mike Hilton said of Fitzpatrick’s anticipation, “it could be ours.”
That proves true even when Fitzpatrick is not in coverage. Late in the fourth quarter against the Rams on Nov. 10, Fitzpatrick sensed that quarterback Jared Goff would be throwing in cornerback Joe Haden’s direction, so he played over the top, waiting for the ball to come. It did. Diving, Haden deflected it — right to Fitzpatrick, trailing behind, for the victory-securing interception. On the Fox broadcast, Daryl Johnston relayed a conversation with Goff, who had emphasized the importance of locating Fitzpatrick after every snap.

“You can’t be afraid to make decisions,” Butler said, “and he’s not.”

At his locker, Fitzpatrick explained why. His best quality as a player, he said, is his instinct, and not once since leaving Miami nearly three months ago has he regretted asking to be dealt. He has never grappled with how he would be perceived in South Florida, where his former teammates are toiling through a 3-9 season.

He still has friends there, but not as many as on his new team. Since the trade, the Steelers rank second in opposing completion percentage and passer rating, according to Pro Football Reference, and have charged into contention. According to tankathon.com, that first-round pick heading to Miami projects at No. 22.

Fitzpatrick changed his fortunes for the better. His team’s, too.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/04/...ck-trade-steelers.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share

 

Not just the best trade, arguably the Team MVP. Without him, this defense does not ascend to levels that have not been seen since 2008-2011. For that matter, in my opinion, this team is not 7-5.



Minkah is a true prodigy of a Free Safety; unlike any we have not seen in Steelers History. Thanks to him, Pittsburgh's defense will never be the same as he revolutionized the way the Steelers play defense. Even if he does not win DPOY, Minkah Fitzpatrick is without a doubt, the most important defensive player of this defense, in my opinion. There are other players that perform roles Minkah cannot but Minkah possesses traits that simply cannot be taught.



Those turnovers overall are not on all because of him but he is the catalyst for them. Prior to Minkah, Pittsburgh did not turn much of anything over despite an elite pass rush. With Minkah, that script has changed. Nevermind safeties, players like Minkah do not come very often.



#MagicMinkah

 

For a much better reference, Jalen Ramsey was traded for two 1st Round Picks. Yes, Cornerbacks have a natrually higher value than a Free Safety; regardless of the team. That said, nevermind his baggage issues, he is going to hit the market in 2020 for an immense asking price.



In comparison, Pittsburgh has Minkah under his rookie contract in addition to the fifth year option. Only cost one First Round Pick. Miami got fleeced.



In short?!



Pittsburgh fleeced Miami.


Jacksonville fleeced Los Angeles.


(Rather, in Jacksonville's case, Jalen Ramsey fleeced Jalen Ramsey)

 

He didn’t even cost a full first rounder, swapping the Steelers mid to late fifth round pick for the Dolphins early fourth was a great piece of business by the Steelers

 

Not to mention that the Dolphins may very well end up getting a first round pick toward the end of the draft. Not sure they were banking on that when they made the deal. No way the Steelers get a DB the caliber of Minkah at 20+ in the draft. Well done by Colbert and Co.

 

And I'd be fine with spending a much higher first round pick on a player with his impact. He changed the entire feel of our defense. The last player that I can remember changing expectations like this was Ben with the offense.

 

Cowboys looked foolish trading a first rounder for cooper, but he made them a legit offense.

we looked foolish trading a first rounder as well and now our defense is elite.

sometimes it’s worth the risk you never know

 

If you read Asked and Answered on the Steelers site, Labriola answers a question about Devin Bush. I know he wont get DROY, but that young man has really had a solid season as well. While more silent in recent weeks, the stats reveal a real star in the making. If he continues the ascent, that is 3 firsts (yes we did not pick Minkah) that we have hit the ball of of the park with. I will give Edmunds a pass...wait and see, but still that is one impressive build for the future.

 

I have to admit that I had no idea who this player was when the Steelers picked in up in that trade. Never even heard of him. Haven't watch college football for years and don't follow it cause I have to get too many things done on weekends and have to dedicate at least 1 day to do that and Sundays are my football time. Especially couldn't care less for Alabama anyways.

I knew from the instant reaction by all of you guys/gals on this site that this was more than your average trade. Being the Steelers it would have to be. Went to work the next day and told a guy at work who is a huge college football fan but not much of an NFL fan that the Steelers picked up some DB and he knew that we got something special.

So far, it has to be the best trade in the NFL this year just by how he turned this defense completely around. Probably saved a couple coaching jobs so far as well.

 

Nick Saban said that Minkah is his favorite player that he has ever coached, which is really saying something. Saban said that he never coached anyone that was as mentally prepared to play as Fitzpatrick.

 

Yep.


Nick Saban NEVER had gone out of his way to publicly praise a player. Not even Julio Jones garnered that level of praise from Saban. To have one of the greatest Head Coaches in College Football History do such an act speaks VOLUMES.

 

I thought this thread was going to be about AB.

 

Its not just a season changer, its a franchise changer. I mean in terms of defense. He is young and can be the anchor of the back end for a long time. It was an amazing trade.

 

I'm just glad they have kept Minkah at FS and not try to move him around too much like they were doing in Miami and which eventually led to his disgruntlement. Keep that back end locked down.

 

When Saban talks I listen, this is a huge compliment for Minkah.