Steelers' Minkah Fitzpatrick Taking The Blame While Really Engaging In Cover-Up Of Teammate's Shortcomings

   

Since the Pittsburgh Steelers had three brutal losses in a row, fans are looking for places to point their fingers, and many of them have landed on the defense. The defensive players didn't help by making comments that sounded like team members weren't doing their jobs. Patrick Queen said that this is the time of the year when the defense should be clicking, but they seem to be falling apart. Fans pounced on those comments, choosing to read into them and apply the comments to the players of their choosing. One of the players who took a lot of heat was safety Minkah Fitzpatrick.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reporter Chris Carter joined the 93.7 The Fan Morning Show team and discussed the communication breakdown. Carter was asked if the struggles were one player's fault or if it, as Cameron Heyward suggested earlier, was like "popcorn." Heyward told the media that Head Coach Mike Tomlin uses that analogy about struggles. They are like popcorn, a little here and a little there.

Carter said it is like popcorn. However, he added that he hears Cam Sutton coming up more than anyone else and thinks Fitzpatrick might be taking the blame for some of his mistakes. Fans suggest that Fitzpatrick looks lost, but Carter believes there is more to it, so he'd choose to play Beanie Bishop Jr. over Sutton in their upcoming games. 

"There was one play where Minkah Fitzpatrick came from the deep safety position to come down on a shallow cross on Xavier Worthy," recalled Carter. "He made a big third down tackle to force a punt in the second quarter, and Cam Sutton was supposed to be the guy that was in that area to stop Worthy, and when Worthy catches the pass, Sutton kind of just points at him, but then doesn't chase after him, and Minkah has to come from way back and he makes the play. That was the point I was like, I don't think Cam has the speed to run with guys anymore, and I also think that he's blowing coverage and communication. Beanie Bishop was at least in a position to do things. There were some busts, but he figured things out. I'd rather have a guy who occasionally busts coverages with speed than a guy who busts coverages occasionally with no speed."

Carter added that part of the issue in the secondary has been injuries. Fitzpatrick is the only starter who played in every game; DeShon Elliott, Donte Jackson, and Joey Porter Jr. have all missed time with injuries. Sutton started the season late because he was serving a league-imposed suspension. 

Because of Sutton's suspension, the undrafted rookie Bishop was forced to jump right in with both feet. He did have his share of struggles, but he also had some tremendous moments, such as pulling in two interceptions on Aaron Rodgers in one game. Bishop has shared that those interceptions helped to boost his confidence. Steelers fans love an underdog story, so if Bishop can continue to grow, he could have a bright future in the Steel City.

Steelers Had A Surprising Pro Bowler

It is no secret that Fitzpatrick has not had his usual level of splash plays in the past couple of years. Once one of the most dangerous defenders in the league, he went nearly two seasons without an interception until picking off Lamar Jackson in Week 16. 

That is why many were surprised when it was announced that Fitzpatrick made the Pro Bowl for the 2024 season. Even Fitzpatrick seemed a bit surprised. However, according to Tomlin, who applauded the way he consistently puts pressure on opposing offenses, Fitzpatrick's impact on the defense is bigger than many see.