NFL free agency: Predicting where top 24 projected players land in 2023
![NFL Free Agency 2023: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens in action on against the Pittsburgh Steelers on December 5, 2021 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) NFL Free Agency 2023: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens in action on against the Pittsburgh Steelers on December 5, 2021 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/89ea025c1a89a6180b8246eeb2a86cb16e5bc7f6f2104de78672fa84bf453ad2.jpg)
2023 NFL Free Agency: Minkah Fitzpatrick, S, Pittsburgh Steelers
Prediction: Re-signs with Pittsburgh Steelers
Minkah Fitzpatrick has become a staple for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense in recent years. He also represents a pretty substantial deviation from the norm for former general manager Kevin Colbert.
For the longest time, the Pittsburgh Steelers primarily focused on building their roster through the NFL Draft and almost strictly through the NFL Draft.
They rarely made big-money free agent signings. They rarely made bold trades for veterans.
Then the Minkah Fitzpatrick trade happened.
It was a pretty shocking trade to begin with because Fitzpatrick was such a young, promising first-round pick at the time.
Since getting traded by the Dolphins, Fitzpatrick has been an absolute machine for the Steelers as a tackler and turnover creator.
He has 13 career interceptions, four forced fumbles, three defensive touchdowns, and 36 total passes broken up.
There’s no doubt that he’s a stud and an integral piece of the Steelers’ defense, which is why I don’t think they’re going to let him get to the open market.
Even if they have to franchise tag him first, I think a long-term deal is on the near horizon for Fitzpatrick.