The Pittsburgh Steelers have made a number of shocking strikes this offseason. Nevertheless, none might have been extra stunning than once they despatched Minkah Fitzpatrick to the Miami Dolphins in a deal for Jonnu Smith and Jalen Ramsey. There have been rumors connecting the Steelers to each these gamers, however there wasn’t a lot indicating that they had been prepared to maneuver on from Fitzpatrick. He’s been top-of-the-line safeties within the league since coming to Pittsburgh. New Steelers nook Darius Slay just lately shared his response to the transfer.
“Once I noticed the commerce undergo, I’m considering it was just a few draft picks,” Slay mentioned Monday on Richard Sherman’s podcast. “I believed it could be me, him, Minkah, all of us again there. I’m like, ‘This gonna be loopy.’ Then I seen the ultimate outcomes like, ‘This can be a little totally different.’ I’m trying ahead to it. I met Minkah a pair occasions down there. He’s a wise participant. He’s what Pittsburgh nation is.
“He’s 10 toes down. He involves work; he leads by instance. He was a fantastic teammate for me for the six days I used to be there. I used to be trying ahead to seeing that as a result of that might have been my actual first time coming in with one other All-Professional at that security place. Now, I’ll exchange him with one other All-Professional and I really feel like top-of-the-line within the sport as nicely, and that’s Jalen Ramsey. It’s gonna be nice.”
Slay’s thought course of was much like that of many Steelers followers. Most anticipated Pittsburgh to ship draft capital away to amass Ramsey and Smith. Nevertheless, they opted to maneuver Fitzpatrick, a three-time first-team All-Professional and five-time Professional Bowler.
For the primary few years of his Steelers tenure, Fitzpatrick was unimaginable. He made an on the spot influence, serving to solidify the again finish of their protection. Nevertheless, in recent times, he hasn’t been pretty much as good. Whereas not all of that has been his fault, the Steelers clearly felt comfy sufficient parting with him so as to add new items.
Whereas Pittsburgh has good nook depth, security might be an issue with the Fitzpatrick commerce making a gap there.
In the intervening time, it’s unclear the place Ramsey goes to play in Pittsburgh. All through his profession, he’s largely been an outdoor nook. He’s additionally seen a while within the slot, so maybe he’ll slot in there with the Steelers. Slay and Joey Porter Jr. appear much less suited to play within the slot or at security, so maybe that would go away Ramsey as a chess piece for the Steelers to maneuver round.
Ramsey additionally performed some security in faculty, and whereas he hasn’t performed that in a big pattern dimension within the NFL, maybe he may shift there for the Steelers. That would permit them to place forth their greatest mixture within the secondary.
It’s unlucky that Pittsburgh couldn’t hold Fitzpatrick. Slay sums him up completely. He’s a hard-working, clever participant. If he recaptures a few of his previous magic, he may make the Steelers look silly for making this deal.
Whereas the Steelers’ defensive backs gained’t embrace Fitzpatrick, Slay is simply as excited to get to work with them. They’ve nonetheless obtained numerous expertise of their secondary. The important thing now could be the place everybody suits in.
