On Sept. 16, 2019, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Miami Dolphins agreed on a major trade involving Minkah Fitzpatrick. The Steelers traded for Fitzpatrick and sent major draft capital in return.
With the Steelers looking for a key piece and the Dolphins looking to rebuild, Fitzpatrick’s trade request was granted just days later.
What Did the Steelers Trade for Minkah Fitzpatrick?
Here is what both sides received in the package revolving around Fitzpatrick.
The Dolphins received:
- OT Austin Jackson (2020 first-round pick)
- DE Jason Strowbridge (2020 fifth-round pick)
- RB DeAndre Washington (2021 sixth-round pick traded to the Kansas City Chiefs)
The Steelers received:
- S Minkah Fitzpatrick
- G Kevin Dotson (2020 fourth-round pick)
- CB Tre Norwood (2021 seventh-round pick)
Why Did Miami Trade Fitzpatrick?
Fitzpatrick was drafted by the Dolphins with the 11th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. He spent just one full season with Miami. Just weeks into his sophomore season, Fitzpatrick requested permission to seek a trade.
Fitzpatrick’s trade request was a result of his frustration with his usage, not the team’s wins and losses. He felt that he was playing out of position, as he was splitting time at safety and slot corner in his rookie year. In Week 1 of his sophomore season, the staff moved him between three or four different roles.
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“Coach has asked me to do something right now. I got to do what they ask me to do. If we have to have some discussions in the future, we’ll have those discussions. I’m not 215 pounds, 220 pounds. So, playing in the box isn’t best suited for me, but that’s what coach is asking me to do,” Fitzpatrick said in a mid-August training camp interview.
It was reported by Chris Mortensen that the Dolphins themselves did not make the calls, but they gave Joel Segal, Fitzpatrick’s agent, consent to pursue a trade with other organizations.
The Fitzpatrick trade wasn’t the only major move the Dolphins made in 2019. He joined Laremy Tunsil and Kenny Stills on the list that Miami parted ways with to rebuild for the future. They received two first-round picks from the Houston Texans in the Tunsil trade.
How Does the Trade Look Now?
In 2023, Fitzpatrick is a starter for the Steelers and, when healthy, is of Pro Bowl caliber. He’s been named an All-Pro and Pro Bowler three times, in 2019, 2020, and 2022. He was also the NFL’s interceptions co-leader in 2022. In five seasons with Pittsburgh, he’s had 17 interceptions, three touchdowns, three forced fumbles, and 358 total tackles.
Dotson, who was taken with the Steelers’ fourth-round pick received in the trade, started 30 games over three seasons with Pittsburgh. He was traded to the Los Angeles Rams before the 2023 season and has since started nine games.
In the Dotson trade, the Steelers and Rams exchanged draft picks in 2024: the Steelers received the Rams’ fourth-round pick, and the Rams got the Steelers’ fifth-round pick. In 2025, the Steelers get the Rams’ fifth-round pick, and the Rams receive the Steelers’ sixth-round pick.
Norwood was the last acquisition in the trade for Pittsburgh, with him being selected in the seventh round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He spent two seasons with Pittsburgh, starting six total games. Now, he is on the Buffalo Bills practice squad.
The Dolphins selected offensive tackle Austin Jackson with the 18th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, acquired from the Steelers. Jackson has since started 42 games for Miami at right tackle, where he still plays.
The Dolphins selected defensive end Stowbridge in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. He did not make the Dolphins’ roster as a rookie and has not signed with another team since then.
The final piece of capital Miami received in the trade was a 2021 seventh-round pick, which they later traded. They traded the pick to the Kansas City Chiefs in return for running back DeAndre Washington. Washington got action in just three games, rushing for 86 yards on 28 carries. He did not make the Dolphins roster in 2021.
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