Pittsburgh’s transfer for Fitzpatrick daring, calculated — and a bit determined
On the floor, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ determination to deal a first-round choose to the Miami Dolphins for security Minkah Fitzpatrick reeks of desperation. They’re Zero-2, simply misplaced their franchise quarterback for the yr and see the Tremendous Bowl window closing quick. The stage was set for Pittsburgh to get a excessive choose in 2020.
However the Steelers have by no means achieved enterprise with draft positioning in thoughts. Win now could be all the time the tradition. The Steelers really feel strongly sufficient about Fitzpatrick’s expertise — and inexpensive rookie contract with a median base wage of $2.1 million for the following three seasons — to justify any choose the staff might muster in April’s draft.
The transfer says quite a bit about the place the Steelers are, and the place they are going to be:
Roethlisberger isn’t retiring
Regardless of an elbow harm that might take the higher a part of 12 months from which to recuperate, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is probably going again for subsequent season. He’s not a lock to begin Week 1, however Roethlisberger stated in his assertion Monday he’s honoring all three years of his deal.
Roethlisberger will likely be 38 in March, which is an affordable quantity because of the blueprint set by Drew Brees and Tom Brady. Surrounding him with high-level pedigree is essential.
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The protection wants the assistance
As information broke midweek that the Dolphins had been prepared to deal Fitzpatrick, the 11th total choose in 2018, I used to be informed the Steelers wouldn’t be concerned within the preliminary wave for him. Giving up a primary was too steep for a franchise that values such capital.
However giving up 61 factors by way of the primary two weeks with what must be an improved protection will need to have pressed Pittsburgh to barter tougher. They’re bored with watching their safeties virtually make performs. Terrell Edmunds’ athletic items ought to flip into constant efficiency ultimately, however they have not but.
Fitzpatrick provides the Steelers a flexible security who will help cowl the slot and erase errors on the again finish. He can also function a possible substitute for Sean Davis, who’s a free agent in March. A 3-man security lineup of Fitzpatrick, Edmunds and Davis is significantly better than what the Steelers rolled out in a 33-Three loss to New England in Week 1.
Chris Berman and Tom Jackson recap the weekend’s video games with prolonged highlights and evaluation. Watch on ESPN+
The protection now has eight former first-round picks in its beginning lineup. If Mike Tomlin can’t make that work …
This speaks loudly about Rudolph
The Steelers had no intentions of choosing a quarterback within the high 10 subsequent yr regardless of Roethlisberger’s harm. Basic supervisor Kevin Colbert believes Mason Rudolph is a first-round expertise, and the staff is clinging to that perception with this transfer.
Teammates say they consider in Rudolph and their phrases don’t really feel empty. He prepares onerous, and that has earned their respect.
Additionally they in all probability appeared on the draft class of quarterbacks and figured they might win sufficient video games to don’t have any shot at Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa or Oregon’s Justin Herbert.
However that outdoors likelihood makes this transfer extremely dangerous. If the season tanks and the rebuild is on, the Steelers simply traded away a possible substitute quarterback.
However the Steelers will promote this: We have now two good quarterbacks already. That promotes daring concepts.