Browns fans will only get 1 chance to boo Minkah Fitzpatrick after Steelers, Dolphins trade
Whether Cleveland Browns fans understand the move or not, the departure of RB Nick Chubb from the team that drafted him will be forever linked to the injury caused by Pittsburgh Steelers S Minkah Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick wasn’t even fined for what most considered a low blow, an unnecessary hit back in Week 2 of the 2023 NFL season.
While Browns fans won’t have a chance to cheer on one of the team’s best players ever, they were in line to boo Fitzpatrick twice a season. Now, it is just once.
Monday, the Steelers made a trade with the Miami Dolphins that sent Fitzpatrick back to the team that drafted him. All in all, the trade ended up looking like this:
Steelers received
- CB Jalen Ramsey
- TE Jonnu Smith
- 7th round pick in 2027
Dolphins received
- S Minkah Fitzpatrick
- 5th round pick in 2025
In the end, most believe that Miami received the better end of the trade with an upgrade at cornerback not offsetting the loss at safety. A big reason for that feeling is former Browns free agent flop Juan Thornhill, who is likely set to take over for Fitzpatrick this season.
A player that Cleveland was excited to add from the champion Kansas City Chiefs ended up disappointing due to injuries and what was considered to be a lack of effort at times. Pro Football Focus graded Thornhill as the 70th-best safety in the NFL last year after placing 63rd in his first season in Cleveland.
Thornhill played in just 22 games in his two seasons with the Browns before being released as a post-June 1st cut.
Adding Smith could help Pittsburgh’s offense as he reunites with OC Arthur Smith for the third time in his career. Smith had his best season last year, his eighth in the NFL, with 88 receptions for 884 yards and eight touchdowns.
Contract details are still up in the air, but Smith is reportedly getting a new deal with the Steelers, and Ramsey is expected to get a pay bump as well.
Pittsburgh seems all in on this season, but downgraded their defense (along with moving down two rounds in a draft that is two years away) to add to their offense and spend more money.
How would you rate this deal for the Steelers? Are you more concerned about them after the move, less concerned, or about the same?
Share your thoughts in the comment section below