Dolphins’ Newest $17 Million Piece Predicted As Team’s Biggest ‘Bust’

However, Fitzpatrick also came to Miami as part of a trade that sent cornerback Jalen Ramsey and tight end Jonnu Smith to Pittsburgh. He’ll need to play extremely well to bring a sense of balance to the exchange, and the 28-year-old simply hasn’t been as impactful in recent years.”

Minkah Fitzpatrick Regression Last Year

There are very few players in the history of the National Football League who can say they are a three time first-team All-Pro selection. However, in just seven seasons Fitzpatrick has hit this bench mark. In fact, he did so within his first five, earning the nod in 2019, 2020, and 2022.

Here in lies the issue. After a four season run in which Fitzpatrick was the consensus number one safety in the entire league, some fans wonder whether his regression in the past two seasons is a real cause for concern.

After 17 interceptions in a four year span, Fitzpatrick has produced just one INT in the last two seasons combined.

Let that sink in…

Last season Fitzpatrick posted a career low in several advanced metrics, including allowing a 127.6 passer rating against, more than 10 yards per target, and a completion percentage of 78.8 when targeted.

His play has declined and people are noticing. One of ESPN’s premiere reporters, Jeremy Fowler, spoke on the rumblings around the league in a post to X.

“Minkah Fitzpatrick still a top-10 safety, but evaluators around league have seen some decline, and trade whispers regarding his future first surfaced in March,” the post read. “They’ve seen decline in Ramsey, too, but his versatility becomes valuable — he can play on outside, nickel or safety.”

Mike Tomlin’s History With Trades

There is a now proven proverb in the NFL that goes: if Mike Tomlin wants to get rid of him, stay far away.

Think back to the first instance of this with Le’Veon Bell in 2018. The then All-Pro running back refused to play after demanding a more than $20 million guarantee. When the Steelers wouldn’t budge, he sat out an entire year and then eventually wound up on four different rosters in two years before retiring.

Then there was Antonio Brown. I will spare you the details on his fall from grace, but after six straight four digit receiving yard seasons, he jumped from roster to roster and he too was out of the league three years later.

Chase Claypool was the last player to tell this story. But I say that to say this: upon concerns about statistical regression, the fact that Mike Tomlin was willing to ship a former All-Pro out of town is a bad omen. Do with that what you will.