Well-Respected Analyst Makes Profound Point About The Steelers Moving On From Minkah Fitzpatrick

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been making major moves throughout the entire 2025 offseason. It has been a time period that has been very uncharacteristic for the organization, and there is a chance that General Manager Omar Khan is not done making changes. There are still some areas on the roster that need to be addressed, and that could happen through free agency or via trade. It would be the fourth major trade Pittsburgh has made this offseason, as the franchise just brought in Jalen Ramsey and Jonnu Smith from the Miami Dolphins in exchange for Minkah Fitzpatrick.

This latest trade is arguably the biggest trade made in the NFL during the 2025 offseason so far, and it certainly shook up a lot of things. Pittsburgh was able to likely get better on both the defensive and offensive side of the football, while Fitzpatrick gets a fresh start with the team that originally drafted him after a pair of rough seasons with the Steelers. 

Some fans in Pittsburgh are broken up about trading away Fitzpatrick, but he has struggled to make a major impact in recent years. He has had just one total takeaway over the last two seasons, although he did deal with some injuries. 

Well-respected analyst Brian Baldinger went on Green Light With Chris Long on Monday to discuss the deal, and he made a comment regarding Fitzpatrick's recent play that should help fans in Pittsburgh cope.

"Well, I mean, I'm a Minkah Fitzpatrick fan," Baldinger explained. "He got traded from Miami to Pittsburgh in his second year; he got traded on a Tuesday and started for them on Sunday. He had two takeaways that day. He was money, he loved it and loved [Mike] Tomlin, loved playing in Pittsburgh. You look at him the last two years Chris, he has one takeaway. Honestly, DeShon Elliott was probably a better player last year. Probably faster, probably a better tackler."

Baldinger is known for going on film-binges between every week of the NFL season, so he knows the talent of some of these players better than most. He is well-respected around the league, and he truly believes that Elliott was better than Fitzpatrick during the 2024 season. Some Steelers fans would probably agree with this, as Elliott proved to be one of the best signings of the 2024 offseason.

Elliott played alongside Fitzpatrick in the defensive backfield, and he made a ton of plays during the 2024 season while being a sure tackler. Elliott had the best season of his career with Pittsburgh as he tallied 108 tackles, two forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, one interception, and six pass breakups. He and Fitzpatrick had different responsibilities, but Elliott jumped off the screen more on defense for the Steelers.

Fitzpatrick's lack of splash plays is reportedly ultimately what led to Pittsburgh feeling comfortable to make the trade. The franchise didn't feel like they could keep paying him his large salary if he was not going to be producing like he used to earlier in his career.

Steelers Got A Bargain Deal With DeShon Elliott

Elliott originally signed a two-year, $6 million deal with Pittsburgh during the 2024 offseason. After how well he played in his first year in the Steel City, he then recently signed a two-year extension during the 2025 offseason, and it was for two years worth $12.5 million with just over $7 million guaranteed.

The safety is going to be an important piece of the defense for the Steelers, especially now that Fitzpatrick is no longer on the roster. He should be considered a leader in the secondary based on how he played during the 2024 season, and he will look to continue that style of play on the new-look unit.