Minkah Fitzpatrick Calls End of Steelers Tenure 'Unfortunate' After Dolphins Trade

Miami Dolphins safety Minkah Fitzpatrick made a statement to reporters at training camp on Monday. During his remarks, Fitzpatrick called the way his Pittsburgh Steelers tenure ended "very unfortunate."

"I want to thank the city of Pittsburgh, the fans in Pittsburgh," Fitzpatrick said in part. "You guys treated me very well. I enjoyed my time there. Played with some great teammates. It was very unfortunate, the way things ended. It's a part of the business."

The Steelers traded Fitzpatrick to the Dolphins on June 30 alongside a 2027 fifth-round pick to Miami for a 2027 seventh-round pick, cornerback Jalen Ramsey and tight end Jonnu Smith.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Gerry Dulac provided insight on the move.

Fitzpatrick was on a four-year, $72.98 million contract extension with the team, per Ovet the Cap.

The main purpose of Fitzpatrick's statement appeared to be explaining his silence after the trade.

"I know I haven't addressed the media or posted on social media," Fitzpatrick said. "One, I'm not a big social media guy, you're not gonna see me on there, period, point blank. Two, in no way, shape or form was that an expression of frustration about coming back to Miami."

Fitzpatrick then spoke briefly on his Steelers tenure before saying that he was "extremely excited to be a Miami Dolphin" and that he felt the team had a "very, very high ceiling."

Miami selected Fitzpatrick with the No. 11 overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft. However, the Dolphins traded him just two games into the 2019 season. In essence, Fitzpatrick requested a trade after expressing frustration with how the coaching staff was using him.

It's a different staff in Miami now, with Mike McDaniel leading the way instead of Brian Flores. And Fitzpatrick has been a superstar in Pittsburgh, making five Pro Bowls and earning three First Team All-Pro nods as well.

Fitzpatrick, who just linked up with superagent Drew Rosenhaus just signed a revised deal "that moved $2 million from his 2026 salary to this year's salary and created a $16.245 million signing bonus," per ESPN's Marcel Louis-Jacques.

He also wants to remain in town long-term.

"I really like the energy and direction that this is going. The culture of this locker room is one that wants to win now," he said, per Louis-Jacques. "I know that was reported that I wanted a new contract, but I just wanted to know I was going to be here for more than a season."

So there's plenty of positivity from Fitzpatrick as he looks toward a fresh start in town.