There’s been quite a bit of smoke about the idea of trading Fitzpatrick this offseason. He’s in the second-to-last year of a four-year, $72.98 million extension signed in 2022 and on a $22.3 million cap figure for the 2025 season. Fitzpatrick’s PFF coverage grades have not painted him as the same kind of massive plus he had been from 2019-2022, and his run defense also suffered this season. Entering his age-29 season, we agree with the premise of using the resources differently for the Steelers, but are struggling to think of a team that wants to pay a good safety that kind of cap figure and would give up the kind of draft capital that would make this worth Pittsburgh’s time.

Fitzpatrick was a full participant in practice throughout the week before being removed from the injury report. He hasn’t played since Week 15. The star safety only played in 10 regular season games but still managed to rack up 64 tackles and three pass breakups. Getting him back is a big win for a defense that heads into the postseason with T.J. Watt.

Fitzpatrick has been out with a knee injury since Week 15 and has only been able to get in a handful of practices since then, so the fact that he was able to practice on Wednesday is a good sign for his availability for Sunday’s wild card game against the Bills. With T.J. Watt sidelined, getting Fitzpatrick would be a big boost as the Steelers try to shutdown Josh Allen.

The Steelers need a win and significant help to reach the postseason, making the absence of Minkah Fitzpatrick of particular intrigue. It’ll otherwise be all hands on deck in the must-win contest.