While trades are constant in the NFL, some moves hit harder than others. Cornerback Minkah Fitzpatrick’s return to the Miami Dolphins sent shockwaves through the Pittsburgh Steelers’ locker room, raising questions about the team’s chemistry and leadership. None of the ecosystems in the sports atmosphere is more fragile than the locker room.
Good teams bring stability, professionalism, accountability, and great teamwork. Meanwhile, struggling teams deal with runaway egos. For the better part of a century, the Steelers have resembled a model of cohesion and little distraction. What happens when a cornerstone of the defense walks out the door?
Pittsburgh Steelers DL Cam Heyward Opens Up About Minkah Fitzpatrick Trade
After 14 years in the trenches, Heyward can truthfully claim that he’s seen everything the game could offer, except a Super Bowl. The veteran knows that football, especially the NFL, remains a business, predicated on fiduciary responsibility above all. Yet, when emotion injects itself into a situation, it muddles the waters and complicates the issue.
However, most vets can balance what they feel is right and what they know the game features. Heyward seemed blindsided when Pittsburgh shipped Fitzpatrick to Miami for corner Jalen Ramsey. On his podcast “Not Just Football with Cam Heyward,” the defensive lineman expressed his thoughts.
“Got the gutcheck of losing a really good teammate in Minkah Fitzpatrick,” Heyward said. “I don’t know how I feel about it. It’s bittersweet. I’ve enjoyed playing with him. I was kind of shook by it all. I’m excited about the new teammates, but also sad to be losing a guy I respected in the locker room.”
Heyward expressed mixed emotions about Fitzpatrick’s departure, noting his appreciation for their time as teammates and the challenge of moving forward.
“Sometimes, you think you know the whole plan, but you don’t,” Heyward added. “We’ll see what happens.”
Make no mistake, losing Fitzpatrick will hurt Pittsburgh. Plugging one hole by causing another doesn’t seem like a sound strategy. Fitzpatrick is a ballhawk in the secondary who lives to step in front of passes, as his 20 career interceptions would attest. Granted, Ramsey upgrades the secondary as a whole and thankfully shifts Darius Slay to a subpackage role, yet you cannot understate the need to employ solid safety help.
Most importantly, how will Ramsey fit into the Steelers’ locker room? Remember, this is the same locker room that booted Antonio Brown, Martavis Bryant, and George Pickens, three talented players in their primes. Now, that is not to equate Ramsey with those players.
However, the aforementioned fragile balance of the locker room continues to become a priority. At the same time, Ramsey’s arrival and desire to win come at a crucial time. Set to turn 31 during the season, Ramsey will be playing for his fourth team in ten years, averaging just two and a half seasons with each franchise.
Heyward, the unquestioned locker room leader, will adjust to the changes as the Steelers contend for their first division title since 2020. The real test will be how Jalen Ramsey’s presence influences the locker room dynamic and whether his experience and competitive edge can help elevate Pittsburgh’s pursuit.
Grading the Steelers-Dolphins Trade
According to PFSN’s Brandon Austin, the blockbuster, three-player trade earned the Steelers a grade of B+. “The Steelers have a long way to go before we start declaring them legitimate contenders in the crowded AFC, but they added talent to both sides of the ball, which is a solid start,” Austin wrote.
By acquiring Jonnu Smith, who reunites with offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, who was his head coach in Atlanta, the Steelers add a disgruntled pass-catcher who should only help elevate the offense.
READ MORE: PFSN Grades the Jalen Ramsey, Jonnu Smith, and Minkah Fitzpatrick Moves
“His ability to create mismatches in the middle of the field should complement the Steelers’ receiving corps and provide a reliable target for Aaron Rodgers, alongside DK Metcalf.”
Meanwhile, adding Ramsey while losing Fitzpatrick was a trickier equation. Even if Ramsey is a talented player, Fitzpatrick is a player who needs to be replaced, occupying an important role in Pittsburgh’s defense.
“In 2024, Ramsey allowed just a 62.0% completion rate when targeted and recorded two interceptions with 11 pass breakups across 17 games. It will be interesting to see how Pittsburgh deploys Ramsey within its defense, as he does have experience playing the nickel spot, even if it’s never been his primary position,” Austin wrote.
“Regardless, with Ramsey, Slay, and Porter, the Steelers have one of the most talented cornerback groups in the league.”
On the Dolphins’ end, they received a C+, less inspiring than the Steelers’ grade. However, they were at a disadvantage with a pair of unhappy Pro Bowl-level starters, netting a former All-Pro in the process. However, that does not mean it bodes well for their outlook in 2025.
“Losing Ramsey does come at a cost, though. The Dolphins’ pass defense was already a below-average unit, finishing 20th in pass defense success rate (53.5%) last season. Moving on from Ramsey only exposes their deficiencies even more.”