Latest news with #MinkahFitzpatrick
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
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Steelers FS Juan Thornhill fires back at Minkah Fitzpatrick critics during training camp
Steelers training camp is finally here — but sadly without fan-favorite safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, who was traded to the Dolphins almost one month ago. Several analysts pointed to a lack of splash plays and a potential decline as the reason for the move — but one defender isn't a fan of that narrative. FS Juan Thornhill, Fitzpatrick's predicted replacement, defended the former Steelers safety at Wednesday's training camp — pointing to similar issues he's dealt with when offenses don't throw in your direction. "Minkah is a great player," Thornhill told reporters on Wednesday. "If you have a great guy back there that can make a lot of plays on the ball, in that deep third, teams aren't going to really try you back there. So that's why a guy like Minkah — they say struggled a bit — he didn't struggle. You just can't get interceptions if the ball is not coming your way." Despite Fitzpatrick snagging just one interception in two seasons, his presence in stopping the deep ball was second to none — a role Thornhill is more than willing to earn as training camp treads on. For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like. This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers' Juan Thornhill fires back at Minkah Fitzpatrick critics
Yahoo
01-08-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Dolphins announce new jersey numbers for 6 players
The Miami Dolphins announced six new jersey numbers Tuesday, including two for newcomers and four changed numbers. Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, who was re-acquired in a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers, will wear the same No. 29 jersey that he wore in Miami during the 2018 and 2019 season. Fitzpatrick wore No. 39 with the Steelers. Tight end Darren Waller will wear No. 83, which he previously wore with the Las Vegas Raiders. Two of the Dolphins' 2024 draft picks, Jaylen Wright and Tahj Washington, are set to don new numbers in 2025. Wright, who had No. 25 as a rookie, will take over the No. 5 that was previously owned by Jalen Ramsey. Washington missed all of his rookie season on injured reserve, but switched from No. 82 to No. 7. The last two swaps were via a pair of safeties. Ifeatu Melifonwu, who signed as a free agent earlier this year, switched from No. 26 to No. 9. Fifth-round rookie Dante Trader Jr. switched from No. 29 to No. 25. This article originally appeared on Dolphins Wire: Dolphins announce new jersey numbers for 6 players
Yahoo
01-08-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ben Roethlisberger mentions the X-factor the Steelers are missing in their locker room after the departure of Minkah Fitzpatrick
Ben Roethlisberger mentions the X-factor the Steelers are missing in their locker room after the departure of Minkah Fitzpatrick originally appeared on A to Z Sports. The Pittsburgh Steelers are going to look very different in 2025. With key figures like George Pickens, Najee Harris, Minkah Fitzpatrick, and others now gone, time will tell if it's for better or worse. But after the trade of Minkah Fitzpatrick, Ben Roethlisberger wonders what will happen on the defense as it relates to a critical factor: culture... Steelers' culture suffering following the departure of Minkah Fitzpatrick? "I haven't been in the locker room for a few years now, so I don't know how things have culturally changed in that locker room in terms of, what's the locker room thinking right now," said Roethlisberger on his podcast . . . ". . . When you're losing a leader like Minkah (Fitzpatrick) a guy that is just a worker, doesn't talk a lot, but works ...When I was there, if this would've happened, there would be some upset dudes in that locker room. I'd assume it's still the same way." View the to see embedded media. I fully understand where Ben is coming from. Minkah Fitzpatrick was the heart and soul of that Steelers secondary for a half-decade plus. But in my opinion, when you look at the other departures, the Steelers have actually cleaned up their culture. They traded away a WR, whose own coach said he needed to grow up, and who was repeatedly fined by the league and team for his actions. A WR who couldn't be bothered to show up on time for meetings and planes. They let a RB walk, who openly called out the coaching staff multiple times during his Steelers tenure, and made headlines this offseason for some disparaging remarks regarding the Steelers organization. Will losing Minkah hurt the culture if they still have Cam Heyward and T.J. Watt? If Jalen Ramsey asserts himself the way the team obviously thinks he can. If Aaron Rodgers, a Super Bowl-winning quarterback, who, love him or hate him, is known for keeping his offense accountable, does just that? Think the answer is the to see embedded media. This story was originally reported by A to Z Sports on Jul 11, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
31-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Survey says: Dolphins' Minkah Fitzpatrick still among elite safeties
Dolphins fans are hopeful that Miami's move to bring Minkah Fitzpatrick back home to South Beach pays off in a big way in 2025. The deal ensures that Miami still has star power roaming throughout its defensive backfield even despite the departure of cornerback Jalen Ramsey. ESPN said the Dolphins aced the trade. Plenty of those in the know are a fan of what the 28-year-old Fitzpatrick can deliver in 2025. ESPN surveyed league executives, coaches and scouts to find out which safeties they liked best in the league. Fitzpatrick earned the No. 9 spot. "He still has a lot to offer -- incredibly hard worker, tone-setter, super solid running things on the back end and preventing big plays, things that go unnoticed," an NFL coordinator said. "I'm expecting a bounce-back year from him." - ESPN survey Though Fitzpatrick has dropped from No. 1 to No. 4 to No. 9 in the rankings over the past three years, the five-time Pro Bowler still garners enough respect to crack this top 10. Fitzpatrick joins names such as Kyle Hamilton, Brian Branch and Xavier McKinney inside the top 10. The 6-foot-1, 207-pound safety had a pair of interceptions and nine passes defensed with the Dolphins during his rookie season in 2018. Fitzpatrick had a 50-yard pick-six against the Vikings during that rookie campaign. Fitzpatrick would morph into the league's top safety during his time in Pittsburgh. In 2022, Fitzpatrick led the NFL in interceptions with six. During the 2019-22 seasons in Pittsburgh, Fitzpatrick registered 17 interceptions, 38 passes defended and 356 tackles. In 27 starts across the past two seasons, Fitzpatrick has recorded just the lone interception and seven passes defended. But, ESPN's survey shows that there's still optimism that Fitzpatrick has more elite play left in the tank. This article originally appeared on Dolphins Wire: Survey says: Dolphins' Minkah Fitzpatrick still among elite safeties
Yahoo
31-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Dolphins agree to reported reworked deal with Minkah Fitzpatrick
Recently-acquired Miami safety Minkah Fitzpatrick secured a revised contract from the Dolphins. A day after reports surfaced that Fitzpatrick had enlisted the services of popular agent Drew Rosenhaus, the 28-year-old safety agreed to a revised contract with Miami that adds a $16.2 million signing bonus to his deal according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Fitzpatrick previously had no guaranteed money left on what is currently a two-year contract. Per Schefter, no additional years were added to his deal, but that appears to be an ongoing discussion between Fitzpatrick's camp and the Dolphins. "We are comfortable with this commitment to Minkah as we continue to work with the Dolphins on a multi year extension," Rosenhaus told Schefter and ESPN. Rosenhaus also represents Miami defensive tackle Zach Sieler, who is likewise seeking a new deal. The popular agent also represented former Dolphins tight end Jonnu Smith. Fitzpatrick is a three-time first-team All-Pro and a five-time Pro Bowler. In 2022, Fitzpatrick led the NFL in interceptions with six. During the 2019-22 seasons in Pittsburgh, Fitzpatrick registered 17 interceptions, 38 passes defended and 356 tackles. In 27 starts across the past two seasons, Fitzpatrick has recorded just the lone interception and seven passes defended. But, there is hope that Fitzpatrick can return in Miami to the form that saw him morph into the league's top safety during his time in Pittsburgh. League executives, coaches and scouts are still bullish on Fitzpatrick and indicated as much in an anonymous survey that ranked the NFL's top safeties this offseason. This article originally appeared on Dolphins Wire: Dolphins agree to reported reworked deal with Minkah Fitzpatrick
