PITTSBURGH — Less than a year after making T.J. Watt the highest-paid defensive player in the NFL, the Steelers are happy to have Minkah Fitzpatrick be the richest safety in the league.
Fitzpatrick, the two-time All-Pro whom the Steelers acquired for a first-round draft pick in 2019, agreed to a new five-year, $84.224 million contract Wednesday, a source told the Post-Gazette. That’s more than $16.8 million per year, but Fitzpatrick was due to make $10.6 million this season on his fifth-year option, so his new money average will eclipse Seattle safety Jamal Adams, who makes $17.5 million per year.
"I am very excited," Fitzpatrick said in a statement. "I am still kind of in shock right now. It's a blessing. I am really excited. It's just the beginning. I am appreciative. I am thankful. Now I just want to keep on chopping. I love the history here. What it stands for. The standard we are held to. The standard coach (Mike) Tomlin holds us to, on the field and off the field. The standard of winning playoff games, division titles and championship games.
