The Pittsburgh Steelers made a bombshell trade, a few days shy of the 4th of July, that shocked the NFL world, dealing Minkah Fitzpatrick to the Miami Dolphins.

The trade announcement first leaked with the Steelers acquiring All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey, followed by news that Pro Bowl tight end Jonnu Smith also factored into the trade.

Least expected of all, the Steelers’ All-Pro safety was the return in a rare player swap. The deal also included swaps of day three picks in 2027.

It was the first time since at least 2002 that two players with multiple All-Pro bids were dealt for each other.

Jeremy Fowler of ESPN surveyed NFL executives, coaches, and scouts to compile the top 10 players at each position.

Fitzpatrick slotted No. 9, down five spots from a season ago. Fitzpatrick, 28, ranked No. 4 in 2024 and as high as No. 2 in his career.

He went 25 games in a row without an interception, dating back to the 2022 campaign, before picking off Lamar Jackson on December 21.

Fitzpatrick had more interceptions in the Pro Bowl games (two) than in the last two seasons combined. He played in all 18 games, including the playoffs, and registered 96 tackles, one tackle for loss, four passes defended, and one forced fumble.

The former Dolphins first-rounder made his fifth Pro Bowl and is a three-time First-Team All-Pro (2019, 2020, 2022).

Did the Steelers make the right call trading Minkah Fitzpatrick?

Fitzpatrick regularly lined up 15-20 yards off the ball and prevented big plays from happening, but didn’t contribute significant splash plays over the last two seasons. The Steelers have tended to try to move on from players one year early instead of one year after they can’t play at a high level anymore.

As noted in the piece by Fowler, one executive thinks Fitzpatrick is on the back nine.

“He was the best in the NFL for years but is slowing down,” the AFC executive said.

Fitzpatrick was the No. 1 safety in football after his All-Pro year in 2022 and picked off a league-best six passes. He finished 10th in Defensive Player of the Year voting and was unquestionably one of the best defenders in football.

“He still has a lot to offer – incredibly hard worker, tone setter, super solid running things on the back end and preventing big plays, things that go unnoticed,” one NFL coordinator told Fowler.

Fitzpatrick is in the final year of his contract, and Steelers reporter Mark Kaboly (The Pat McAfee Show) told 93.7 The Fan he didn’t think the Steelers would re-sign Fitzpatrick after the season. If that’s the case, then it makes sense that the Steelers moved Fitzpatrick before he got a year older, which would have led to a far lesser trade package in return.

Pittsburgh will host Fitzpatrick and the Dolphins on Monday Night Football in Week 15 on December 15.