PITTSBURGH – Through eight games, Pittsburgh Steelers All-Pro free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick has yet to record an interception. So far, it’s been a continuation of last year when Fitzpatrick did not create a single turnover. In 2022, Fitzpatrick was the NFL’s co-leader in interceptions with six.
Defensive coordinator Teryl Austin reiterated on Thursday that he’s not worried about the lack of splash plays, however. Fitzpatrick’s presence in the deep middle of the field has had a profound impact.
“He’s mostly been centered because that’s where we like him,” Austin said of Fitzpatrick. “I know right now people get caught up, he hasn’t had interception. I know this — he shores it up in the middle of the field for us 99% of the time, and he makes teams think twice about going down the middle of the field. We haven’t given up a lot of plays this year. The last couple of years when we’ve had to play him down and some different things with him, we’ve given up a lot of big plays. My goal was to make sure as this defense we do not to give up a lot of big plays, big scoring opportunities. To me, if he’s doing that, he’s doing a great job.”
Fitzpatrick has played 434 of his 488 total defensive snaps at free safety this season, according to Pro Football Focus. He’s allowed only 10 receptions on 15 targets for 141 yards and two touchdowns.
Teryl said last month that the turnovers will eventually come for Fitzpatrick. They haven’t come yet, but it really doesn’t matter if Fitzpatrick is keeping things locked down in the center of the field.
“Sometimes it’s not happening right now, but I got full confidence because I know what kind of player Minkah is and the more opportunities that he has and the more time he’s back there that those splash plays will come,” Austin said. “I don’t worry about that. I know how he leads our group in terms of the communication and everything working from back there, and it’s a lot smoother. So I think as a unit, we’ve operated really well, really smooth overall, and so the splash will come. I’m not going to get bent out of shape about that at this particular time.”
Alan Saunders provided reporting from Pittsburgh.