The Pittsburgh Steelers may have finished the 2023 season with more success than most people expected, but that doesn't mean they are content. Simply reaching the playoffs, resulting in a Wild Card loss to the Buffalo Bills, isn't the Pittsburgh standard, so the team has to improve ahead of the 2024 season. A large component of bringing in those improvements is finding a reliable, dynamic partner to join Minkah Fitzpatrick at safety.
The 2023 Steelers were defined by their offensive struggles and the myriad of challenges that came from that side of the ball. Pittsburgh couldn't rely on its offense to carry the game, so it fell on the defense to pick up the slack. When you have stars like TJ Watt and Fitzpatrick, that doesn't seem like too tall of an order. However, injuries stifled any momentum the defense tried to string together, resulting in quite a few patchwork solutions being fielded.
Fitzpatrick had never dealt with a season in which his health was a negative aspect, and he hopes not to be faced with it again. The 27-year-old safety is still in his prime, and barring another campaign filled with injuries keeping him off the field, the Steelers are eager for someone to join Fitzpatrick in the secondary. Daniel Valente of The Score posted on X/Twitter regarding the number of viable safeties that could be available to the Steelers during the 2024 free agency.
As far as youth goes, the Steelers could be looking at a few different free agent safeties. While Kamren Curl never lit up the stat sheet with takeaways, if Pittsburgh wants someone who can show he will stay on the field, Curl fits the bill. The young safety has played in 53 games for the Washington Commanders in the four years since being drafted. Granted, he hasn't had an interception since snagging three in his 2020 rookie season, but he could provide a legitimate building block beside Fitzpatrick.
Xavier McKinney had an impactful, but roller coaster four seasons with the New York Giants. After turning in a decent 2020 rookie season, McKinney exploded in 2021 with five interceptions and nearly 100 combined tackles. The Giants relied on McKinney to work within a difficult defensive scheme, and he is seen by many as one of the top safeties in the 2024 free agency pool. Bringing in McKinney could free up Fitzpatrick to settle back into his dangerous, roaming style.
Geno Stone is a bit of a question mark after his time with the Baltimore Ravens, despite being considered a viable safety option. Stone turned in his best NFL season in 2023 with seven interceptions after only one in his career prior. However, there is a concern that his spike in production came as a direct result of playing beside Kyle Hamilton. The good news is that he wouldn't be seen as the number one safety in Pittsburgh, allowing him to reap the rewards of being next to Fitzpatrick.
Steelers Could Aim For Veteran Presence At Safety
As enticing as it is to pair two players on the younger end of the spectrum, perhaps Fitzpatrick would benefit from playing alongside a more experienced safety. Curl, McKinney, and Stone are all excellent options under 25. However, it may be a better choice to bring in a veteran who could mentor Fitzpatrick, rather than simply complement his play.
Kevin Byard was sent to the Philadelphia Eagles in a trade during the 2023 season that included former Steelers safety, Terrell Edmunds. While Byard is over 30 and was released from the Eagles for cap space, he could provide what the Steelers need. Fitzpatrick is more than capable of collecting takeaways and frustrating defenses, but he is at his best when there is someone reliable to back him up. Byard, bringing his 130 NFL games of experience to the table, would allow Fitzpatrick to be himself without overly taxing the secondary.
The Steelers want to be confident that the person they bring in to join Fitzpatrick can stay on the field, even if he doesn't light up the statistical aspect. Rayshawn Jenkins joined the Jacksonville Jaguars prior to the 2021 season and never missed a single game during his tenure with the team. Drafted in 2017 by the Los Angeles Chargers, Jenkins was someone his squads could count on. Tallying over 100 tackles in 2022 and 2023 for the Jaguars, including 5 interceptions over those two seasons, Jenkins was an important part of the defenses he played with.
Whoever the Steelers bring in beside Fitzpatrick, they will have plenty of options. The question is whether they prefer youth or experience to pair with their dynamic safety ahead of the 2024 campaign.
Who will the Steelers sign at safety for the 2024 season?
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