Minkah Fitzpatrick Returns to Pittsburgh Focused on Business, Not Payback
When the Miami Dolphins take the field against the Steelers on Monday night, all eyes will naturally drift toward one of the game’s most intriguing subplots: Minkah Fitzpatrick’s return to Pittsburgh. But if you’re expecting fireworks or a revenge-fueled performance, Fitzpatrick himself is quick to shut that down.
“The only reason why it’s a big week this week is because we’ve got a game and we’ve got to win it,” Fitzpatrick said, keeping the focus squarely on the Dolphins’ playoff push.
And that push is gaining serious momentum. Miami rolls into Week 15 riding a four-game win streak, and Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin didn’t mince words when he called the Dolphins “as hot as any team in the NFL.” That’s not coach-speak - it’s a reflection of how well Miami is executing on both sides of the ball, with Fitzpatrick playing a quietly pivotal role in the secondary.
While he’s not stuffing the stat sheet with interceptions this season, Fitzpatrick’s impact goes far beyond picks. Through 13 games, he’s tallied 76 tackles - 56 of them solo - along with an interception, six passes defended, a forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, three tackles for loss, and a pair of quarterback hits. He’s been the kind of steady, physical presence that doesn’t always show up in highlight reels but shows up everywhere on film.
This return to Pittsburgh, of course, comes after a blockbuster trade that sent Fitzpatrick to Miami in exchange for a package that included All-Pro corner Jalen Ramsey and tight end Jonnu Smith. Former Dolphins GM Chris Grier, who orchestrated the deal, admitted earlier this year that he was surprised the Steelers were willing to let Fitzpatrick go.
“Honestly, I was shocked,” Grier said. “I was very surprised that we were able to get him.
But I do know that Pittsburgh had liked Ramsey a lot for what he could do, and his skill set. He’s a very good player as well.”
Grier called it a “win-win” deal - Miami got the playmaker they coveted, while Pittsburgh landed two key contributors and a draft pick. From a roster-building standpoint, both teams walked away with pieces that fit their current direction.
Fitzpatrick, for his part, stayed quiet in the immediate aftermath of the trade, which led to some speculation. But when he finally addressed the media in late July, he made it clear that his silence wasn’t about bitterness or drama.
“One, I am not a big social media guy, you aren’t going to see me on there, point blank,” Fitzpatrick said. “Two, in no way, shape, or form was that an expression about coming to Miami.
Three, I want to thank the city of Pittsburgh, you guys treated me very well. I enjoyed my time there, had some great players and great teammates.
It was very unfortunate the way things ended, it’s a part of business. I’m extremely excited to be a Miami Dolphin.”
The business side of the NFL was front and center in this deal. Fitzpatrick, despite having two years left on the $73.6 million contract he signed with Pittsburgh in 2022, hired agent Drew Rosenhaus and sought clarity on his future. The Dolphins responded by restructuring his deal to include a $16.245 million signing bonus - a move that signaled long-term commitment without needing to tear up the existing contract.
“It was reported that I wanted a new contract. I just wanted to know that I was going to be here for more than a season,” Fitzpatrick explained.
That desire for stability makes sense when you consider how rocky his first stint in Miami was. Drafted in the first round in 2018, Fitzpatrick clashed with then-head coach Brian Flores over his role in the defense and was reportedly frustrated with the team’s approach to the 2019 season - a year that saw owner Stephen Ross allegedly push for tanking. Nearly everyone involved in that era is now gone, with the exception of Ross.
Interestingly, Fitzpatrick and Flores eventually reconciled when Flores joined the Steelers’ coaching staff in 2022. That chapter helped close the book on any lingering tension between the two.
Fitzpatrick also acknowledged that he’s grown since those early years in the league. He admitted to being emotionally immature at the start of his career and said he’s learned how to communicate more effectively - a key evolution for a player who now serves as a veteran leader in one of the NFL’s most dynamic defenses.
So while Monday night’s game may carry a little extra intrigue for fans and media, Fitzpatrick isn’t caught up in the narrative. He’s focused on what’s in front of him - helping the Dolphins keep their win streak alive and continue their push toward January football.
And if he happens to make a big play in his old stadium? Well, that’s just business.