The Steelers are nearing an extension with star free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, NFL Network reporter Aditi Kinkhabwala told 93.7 the Fan.
According to Kinkhabwala, the deal is expected to make Fitzpatrick the highest-paid safety in the NFL. As for when it will occur, it is likely coming soon and should be announced soon. She says the deal with Fitzpatrick is just about done, and that it should be resolved shortly.
“The Steelers need to and will indeed pay very good money to Minkah Fitzpatrick,” Kinkhabwala told 93.7 the Fan. “I still am told that that deal is very close to getting done. So, be on alert for that.”
It makes all the sense in the world for Pittsburgh to extend Fitzpatrick. He has started 46 of 47 games since joining the Steelers. He led the team with 124 tackles in 2021.
The two-time All-Pro free safety is likely to get a monster deal that will keep him in Pittsburgh for the foreseeable future. He, along with T.J. Watt, are the building blocks of the future for the Steelers.
Still, it would be slightly unusual for the deal to get done this early. Usually, the Steelers do not enter negotiations with players in-house until after the draft. Kevin Colbert said at the 2022 NFL Combine in Indianapolis that the team usually waits until the rest of the offseason process has plaid out before discussing extensions with players already under contract.
“We always deal with that one year removed process after we get through the hear and nows,” Colbert said. “Minkah Fitzpatrick is a great player. We are fortunate to have him, and we want him to be part of the Steelers, of course, but we will deal with that at the appropriate time.”
However, with Kevin Colbert’s impending retirement, perhaps the extension for Fitzpatrick is more urgent. Given the circumstances, it would not be surprising to see the Steelers make an exception and extend Fitzpatrick prior to April 28’s NFL Draft.