Gerry Dulac Disputes Report That Steelers Are Closing in on Extension for Minkah Fitzpatrick

[Steeler Nation]

The Pittsburgh Steelers top priority this off-season is to sign Minkah Fitzpatrick. On Monday afternoon NFL Network reporter Aditi Kinkhabwala reported on 93.7 The Fan Pittsburgh that the two sides were very very close on an extension.

Steelers Minkah Fitzpatrick breaks up a pass against the Lions


Today there seems to be a dispute to that report from Pittsburgh Post Gazette writer, and Steelers insider Gerry Dulac in his latest story.

According to team sources, the Steelers have not even started discussions with their two-time All-Pro safety on a new deal. And that might not happen until they find another safety to line across from him in the secondary, either in the draft or free agency.

It’s almost unreal that one reporter could say a deal is very very close to being completed, and another could say that the two sides haven’t even talked yet. One fact working against Kinkhabwala’s report is the fact that the Steelers don’t typically do big extensions until late in the preseason. Ben Roethlisberger is about the only player that’s been able to buck that trend. He signed an extension in April of 2019.

One thing that the two reports do have in common is that both believe the Steelers are going to make Fitzpatrick the highest paid safety in the NFL, and NFL history. That will be quite the raise for Fitzpatrick and the contract could total over 100 million for the length of the contract. Right now the highest paid safety in the NFL is Jamaal Adams of the Seattle Seahawks with an annual salary of 18.5 million.

Steelers Exploring All Options for Free Safety Spot​

The Steelers still need to find another safety to stick into the starting line up beside Fitzpatrick. Some believe that man should be Tyrann Mathieu, and some believe that bringing back Terrell Edmunds on a much cheaper deal that Mathieu would command is the correct reponse. But there seems to be another option heating up for the Steelers with Kyle Hamilton. Hamilton was a census top 5 pick until his Pro Day when he was clocked at a 4.7 in the 40-yard dash. The time has reportedly dropped him way down on some teams draft boards, and he could slide out of the top 10. The Steelers were at the Notre Dame Pro Day and watched him among others. They’re now bringing Hamilton to Pittsburgh on April 19th for a private workout.

Is Pittsburgh considering a move up to select Hamilton? It probably isn’t likely considering they still have plenty of holes to plug and not a ton of draft capital. But if Hamilton falls down outside of the top 10 then it may just be too hard for them to pass up the opportunity to bring in the talented safety.

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[KStilley]

I'll need to go with Dulac, it's the MO of the FO. Not to mention it's business. What if Minka goes down in training camp with a severe injury god forbid. Does the front office want to make him the highest paid safety with a bad acl or achilles when he's out for a year at least. It makes sense to wait and if Minka wants to treat training camp like Watt did last season, I've got no problem with that as well.

 

[stillerfaninfl]

If the stillers are interested.....4.7....gawd I hope it ain't true and dude just had a bad day.

 

[Steeltime]

If the stillers are interested.....4.7....gawd I hope it ain't true and dude just had a bad day.

Watched Hamilton game film (All-22) vs. Alabama in the Rose Bowl and vs. Purdue. He looks so much like Terrell Edmunds. Lot of single-high safety, lots of backpedaling with no involvement in the play, struggles to stay with WR's, a ton of time running around and covering grass.

Very likely due to his speed limitations, he plays waaaay off slot receivers, backpedals the moment the ball is snapped and gives ground, and is prone to completions in front of him with the regularity of rain showers in Florida.

 

[Steeltime]

P.S. Watching All-22 of a safety underscores that games are won and lost IN THE TRENCHES. So freaking many plays the WR, CB and S don't do sh!t. Every play, the offensive and defensive lines determine who wins that play.