Pittsburgh Steelers have offered their best safety a contract extension, making Minkah Fitzpatrick became the highest-paid Safety in NFL history and the sixth highest-paid DB in NFL.
Per Adam Schefter, Minkah Fitzpatrick and the Steelers reached a massive agreement on a four-year contract extension. The player will get $18,4 million per year, with a guaranteed $36M at signing.
Steelers and All-Pro S Minkah Fitzpatrick reached agreement on a massive four-year contract extension worth over $18.4 million per year, with $36M gtd at signing, per source. The deal, negotiated and confirmed by @WME_Sports, makes Fitzpatrick the highest paid S in NFL history. pic.twitter.com/Rnb0jJWGoM
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 15, 2022
After being selected by the Miami Dolphins with the 11th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, Minkah Fitzpatrick emerged as one of the best safeties in the league. His rookie performance attracted the Pittsburgh Steelers to acquire him as one of their DBs.
The trade happened during the 2019 NFL season with the Steelers giving up their first, fifth, and sixth pick in 2021 for Fitzpatrick.
‘Minkah is one of the top safeties’, Steelers GM said
Steelers general manager Omar Khan said that the team was excited to sign Minkah to a contract extension worth $74 million.
“Minkah is one of the top safeties in the NFL and we are thrilled he will be in Pittsburgh through at least the next five years,” he said.
The GM was adamant that Fitzpatrick would become a valuable asset for the team defense, adding that this move was an important decision for the upcoming season.
Fitzpatrick said signing the deal made him feel excited to spend the next few years with the team.
We have signed S Minkah Fitzpatrick to a new five-year contract. @BordasLaw
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) June 15, 2022
“I am still kind of in shock right now. It’s a blessing. I am really excited. It’s just the beginning. I am appreciative. I am thankful. Now I just want to keep on chopping,” said Fitzpatrick.
The deal, which was finalized on Wednesday, made Fitzpatrick the highest-paid safety and the sixth highest-paid defensive back behind stars Jaire Alexander, Denzel Ward, Jalen Ramsey, Marshon Lattimore, and Marlon Humphrey.
On the Steelers’ roster, Fitzpatrick is now the second-highest-paid player behind the team’s best defender and superstar linebacker, T.J Watt, who receives $28 per year on his current contract.
Becoming key player at Steelers
The safety has made himself an important player for the Steelers. Since being traded to the team, he has contributed to making Pittsburgh’s defense better. Fitzpatrick earned first-team All-Pro honors that took him to the Pro Bowl in 2019 and 2020.
Throughout his stint at the Steelers, he recorded a career-high 125 tackles in 2021 to become an essential piece of the team’s defense.
Statistically, Fitzpatrick has presented impressive stats by performing 13 interceptions, including three returns for touchdowns, 36 passes defended, four forced fumbles, and five fumble recoveries.
Joining Cincinnati’s Jessie Bates and Tennessee’s Kevin Byard, Fitzpatrick is one of the three safeties that has recorded 10 or more interceptions and at least 250 tackles since the 2019 NFL season.
He is also one of the six players in the NFL that have recorded two-plus interceptions and a minimum of 60 tackles every past four consecutive seasons.
Alongside Fitzpatrick, Pittsburgh Steelers will also welcome three key defensive players, including DT Cam Heyward and last season’s Defensive Player of the Year, T.J Watt.