The Pittsburgh Steelers are 6-2 heading into Week 10 following their bye week, touting one of the best defenses in the league.
Pittsburgh’s defense has allowed the second-fewest points per game in the league, 14.9, and the ninth-fewest total yards per game, 310.3. As the trade deadline nears, there have been constant talks about the Steelers adding a wide receiver to improve their offense. Surprisingly, one insider urges the team to trade away one of their star defenders.
The Athletic’s Mike DeFabo proposed that the Steelers gauge interest around the league on veteran safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and shake things up in their safety group.
“If I’m the Steelers, I take a hard look at this position group in the offseason,” DeFabo wrote. “Many teams pinch pennies at safety, feeling that they’re often interchangeable. Look at how much value DeShon Elliott has provided for a fraction of the investment. Fitzpatrick still has a strong reputation around the league. If he isn’t producing much splash, it’s really not the craziest idea to see how much another team would offer in a trade and whether the Steelers could fill this role with a more cost-conscious solution.”
“Fitzpatrick is playing a lot better than the raw turnover numbers would suggest. He’s a reliable tackler and a deterrent when he’s in the middle of the field, which I think is part of the reason why the rest of the DBs have so many PBUs and INTs. So by no means is he playing poorly.”
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Fitzpatrick has not looked like the elite ball hawk he once was. Since the start of the 2023 season, he has yet to force any turnovers. Fitzpatrick is still a valuable defender than his numbers make him seem, but depending on how this season turns out, the Steelers may look to part with the four-time Pro Bowler and three-time first-team All-Pro.
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