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Ben Roethlisberger mentions the X-factor the Steelers are missing in their locker room after the departure of Minkah Fitzpatrick

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Rob Gregson | Last updated Jul 11, 2025 4:23 PM ET

The Pittsburgh Steelers are going to look very different in 2025.

With key figures like George Pickens, Najee Harris, Minkah Fitzpatrick, and others now gone, time will tell if it's for better or worse.

But after the trade of Minkah Fitzpatrick, Ben Roethlisberger wonders what will happen on the defense as it relates to a critical factor: culture...

Steelers' culture suffering following the departure of Minkah Fitzpatrick?

"I haven't been in the locker room for a few years now, so I don't know how things have culturally changed in that locker room in terms of, what's the locker room thinking right now," said Roethlisberger on his podcast . . .

". . . When you're losing a leader like Minkah (Fitzpatrick) a guy that is just a worker, doesn't talk a lot, but works ...When I was there, if this would've happened, there would be some upset dudes in that locker room. I'd assume it's still the same way."

I fully understand where Ben is coming from. Minkah Fitzpatrick was the heart and soul of that Steelers secondary for a half-decade plus. But in my opinion, when you look at the other departures, the Steelers have actually cleaned up their culture.

They traded away a WR, whose own coach said he needed to grow up, and who was repeatedly fined by the league and team for his actions. A WR who couldn't be bothered to show up on time for meetings and planes.

They let a RB walk, who openly called out the coaching staff multiple times during his Steelers tenure, and made headlines this offseason for some disparaging remarks regarding the Steelers organization.

Will losing Minkah hurt the culture if they still have Cam Heyward and T.J. Watt? If Jalen Ramsey asserts himself the way the team obviously thinks he can. If Aaron Rodgers, a Super Bowl-winning quarterback, who, love him or hate him, is known for keeping his offense accountable, does just that?

Think the answer is no.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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