Pittsburgh Steelers Make Minkah Fitzpatrick Highest-Paid Safety In NFL History

The Pittsburgh Steelers showed how greatly they valued Minkah Fitzpatrick by trading a first-round draft pick for him in 2019.

They again showed how greatly they valued Fitzpatrick on Wednesday by signing him to a four-year, $73.6-million contract extension that includes $36 million guaranteed. It is the largest deal for a safety in NFL history.

The $18.4-million average annual value of the contract surpasses the previous high for a safety of $17.5-million by the Seattle Seahawks’ Jamal Adams.

Fitzpatrick is under contract for the upcoming season at $10.6 million as the Steelers had already exercised the fifth-year option in his rookie contract. The extension runs through the 2026 season.

“I am very excited,” Fitzpatrick said in a news release from the Steelers. “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.

“I really like it here. I have been playing well the last three seasons, at a high level. I love the atmosphere, the coaching, the tradition. Being able to continue that for the next few years is definitely a blessing.”

The Miami Dolphins drafted Fitzpatrick in the first round in 2018. One week into the following the season, the Steelers acquired him in a trade that included sending their first-round pick in 2020 to Miami.

It marked the first time the Steelers had traded out of the first round since 1967.

Fitzpatrick was a first-team All-Pro in his first two seasons with the Steelers and selected to the Pro Bowl each year. He had a career-high 124 tackles in 2021 with seven passes defensed, two interceptions, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

However, Fitzpatrick did not fare well in Pro Football Focus’ grades last season, ranking 73^rd among the 92 qualifying safeties in the NFL.

That did not deter the Steelers, though, from committing to Fitzpatrick for the long haul. Part of Fitzpatrick’s appeal is his durability as he has played over 90% of the defensive snaps during his time in Pittsburgh and missed only one game.

“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,” Steelers general manager Omar Kahn said. “When we traded for him, we knew he was going to be an integral part of our defense and we look forward to that continuing as we prepare for the upcoming season.”