3 reasons Minkah Fitzpatrick deserved a record-setting contract

NFL Free Agency - Pittsburgh Steelers free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) celebrates after beating the Titans at Heinz Field Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pa.Titans Steelers 151
NFL Free Agency - Pittsburgh Steelers free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) celebrates after beating the Titans at Heinz Field Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pa.Titans Steelers 151
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Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick got paid like the best at his position, but does his production stack up against others in the league?

Minkah Fitzpatrick got paid!  The Pittsburgh Steelers locked up Minkah Fitzpatrick for the next four years on a deal that makes him the highest-paid safety in football.

Is he worth it?

Let’s take a look.

Minkah Fitzpatrick
Jun 9, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) participates in minicamp at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Minkah Fitzpatrick’s age a factor in massive deal

Fitzpatrick was a first-round pick in 2018 out of Alabama by the Miami Dolphins. Entering his fifth NFL season at only 25 years old, it’s safe to say he hasn’t peaked yet.

These next four years in Pittsburgh will tell us if he can go from being a good player to a great player, and perhaps push his way into the echelon of Pittsburgh Steelers safeties from the past.

Comparing him to the likes of Rod Woodson or Troy Polamalu is premature. That’s an elite group to be a part of.

But the top brass must see him as having the potential to reach those heights or they wouldn’t have given him $36 million guaranteed.

While this kind of contract is out of the norm for the Pittsburgh Steelers, one thing is certain: he will have all the opportunity to go from good to great and make his mark on the organization.