The stakes are climbing fast for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and with every passing week, the room for error gets smaller. Monday night’s primetime clash against the Miami Dolphins isn’t just another game-it’s a gut-check.
Pittsburgh is fighting to stay in the playoff race, and the margin is razor thin. But beyond the playoff implications, there’s another layer to this one.
A personal one.
Minkah Fitzpatrick is back in the building.
For the first time since the blockbuster trade that sent him to Miami, Fitzpatrick will line up against the team that once made him the centerpiece of its defense. And while players rarely admit to circling dates on the calendar, you better believe this one has been on Fitzpatrick’s radar.
And why wouldn’t it be?
Over six seasons in Pittsburgh, Fitzpatrick did everything the Steelers could’ve asked for-and then some. He piled up over 500 tackles, snatched 18 interceptions, and became the heartbeat of a defense known for its toughness and discipline.
He wasn’t just a playmaker-he was the safety net, the fixer, the guy who turned busted coverages into incompletions and bad angles into big stops. When things broke down, Fitzpatrick cleaned them up.
So when Pittsburgh shipped him to the Dolphins in a deal that brought back Jalen Ramsey, Jonnu Smith, and some draft capital, it wasn’t just a roster move-it was a statement. The Steelers were reshaping their identity. But now, as the season hits its most critical stretch, the question hanging over this team is simple: Did they make the right call?
So far, the numbers don’t paint a pretty picture.
Pittsburgh’s defense has slipped. The Steelers are giving up 244 passing yards per game-good for 28th in the league and 16 yards more than last season.
And the run defense? It’s been gashed for 125.3 yards per game, ranking 21st overall.
Over the last three games, that number balloons to 188.3. For a team that used to pride itself on being stout and stingy, those are red flags.
Some of that regression is tied to injuries and breakdowns in tackling. But part of it also traces back to the Fitzpatrick-Ramsey swap. Ramsey isn’t a direct one-for-one replacement-he’s played corner, safety, and hybrid roles-but he’s taken enough snaps in the back end to invite comparison.
Statistically, the two are close. Ramsey has 41 tackles, two tackles for loss, and one interception.
Fitzpatrick, now anchoring Miami’s secondary, has 54 tackles, three tackles for loss, and one pick of his own. On paper, it’s a near draw.
But Monday night won’t be played on paper.
This game isn’t about who has the better stat line-it’s about who delivers when it counts. With the Steelers’ playoff hopes hanging in the balance, Jalen Ramsey has a chance to show why Pittsburgh bet big on him.
He wasn’t brought in just to be solid. He was brought in to be special.
To be the guy who makes the play that flips momentum, who locks down the middle of the field when the game is on the line.
And across the field, Fitzpatrick will be looking to remind his old team exactly what they gave up.
This isn’t about matching Fitzpatrick. It’s about outplaying him. Because in a game where every snap could swing the season, Ramsey has to be more than just good-he has to be the difference.
The Steelers made their choice. Monday night, under the primetime lights, Jalen Ramsey gets his shot to prove they chose right.