Steelers sign All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick to record-setting 5-year contract

The Pittsburgh Steelers made two-time All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick the highest-paid player at his position Wednesday, signing him to a five-year contract that runs through 2026.

ESPN reported the four additional years on Fitzpatrick’s contract — he already was signed to a fifth-year option for 2022 — average $18.4 million and include $36 million guaranteed at signing.

Seattle’s Jamal Adams was the NFL’s highest-paid safety with a contract that averages $17.5 million.

Fitzpatrick’s contract is the first major signing for new general manager Omar Khan, who replaced Kevin Colbert in late May.

“Minkah is one of the top safeties in the NFL, and we are thrilled he will be in Pittsburgh through at least the next five years,” Khan said in a statement released by the team. “When we traded for him, we knew he was going to be an integral part of our defense, and we look forward to that continuing as we prepare for the upcoming season.”

Deserve every bit too ???????? https://t.co/uuza1dKcVJ

— Najee Harris (@ohthatsNajee22) June 15, 2022

It is the second year in a row the Steelers signed one of their defensive stars to a record-setting deal. In September, T.J. Watt agreed to a five-year contract that included $80 million guaranteed, making him at the time the league’s highest-paid defensive player.

Fitzpatrick, 25, is entering his fourth season with the Steelers. He was named a first-team All-Pro in 2019, his first year with the team following his early-season trade from Miami, and again in 2020.

“I am still kind of in shock right now,” Fitzpatrick told the team website after signing his deal. “It’s a blessing. I am really excited. It’s just the beginning. I am appreciative. I am thankful. Now I just want to keep on chopping. I love the history here. What it stands for. The standard we are held to. The standard Coach (Mike) Tomlin holds us to, on the field and off the field. The standard of winning playoff games, division titles and championship games.”

Fitzpatrick has started 59 of 64 games in his NFL career, including 46 games with the Steelers. He was scheduled to earn $10.612 million this season under terms of his fifth-year option, making him the 13th-highest-paid safety until Wednesday.

“I definitely feel like he deserves it,” strong safety Terrell Edmunds said last week after the conclusion of minicamp. “He deserves to get that top dollar. He’s put in the work for it, the stats and everything show. He definitely deserves the money.”

Two games into the 2019 season, the Steelers made the uncharacteristic decision to trade a first-round draft choice to Miami in return for Fitzpatrick, the No. 11 overall pick in the 2018 draft. The last time the Steelers didn’t have a first-round selection was 1967.

Unhappy with his role in Miami, Fitzpatrick welcomed a trade to the Steelers and made an immediate impact on the defense. In 14 games with the Steelers that season, Fitzpatrick had five interceptions, one of which he returned 96 yards for a touchdown. He also had one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries for the Steelers.

He was named to his second consecutive Pro Bowl and became a two-time All-Pro pick in 2020 when he returned one of his four interceptions for a touchdown, broke up 11 passes, forced a fumble and recovered another.

With the Steelers finishing last in stopping the run last year, Fitzpatrick became the team’s top tackler for a second year in a row, accruing 124 stops that included 84 solo tackles. He led all NFL defensive backs in tackles and had the most by a Steelers player since 1987.

Fitzpatrick also had a team-high nine pass breakups in 2021 but was not selected to the Pro Bowl or named to the All-Pro team.

While awaiting his new contract, Fitzpatrick was a limited participant in offseason workouts. He did individual drills during mandatory minicamp last week but did not participate in team activities.

Teammates weren’t concerned about Fitzpatrick’s lack of activity and were confident a deal would be done before the start of the season.

“He’s a special player,” cornerback Cam Sutton said last week. “We all know the things he does out there on the field and the type of player he is and what he means to the organization.”

Fitzpatrick was the highest-profile Steelers player due a contract extension before the start of the regular season when the team cuts off negotiations. With Fitzpatrick in the fold, the Steelers can decide whether to pursue signing wide receiver Diontae Johnson and kicker Chris Boswell to contract extensions.

Done deal. ✍️ pic.twitter.com/mLsThSrdhg

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) June 15, 2022