Career Timeline of Minkah Fitzpatrick: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of Minkah Fitzpatrick, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Minkah Fitzpatrick Jr. is an American professional football safety currently playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the NFL. He previously played for the Miami Dolphins, who drafted him in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Prior to his NFL career, Fitzpatrick played college football at the University of Alabama for the Crimson Tide.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

2014: High School Football Season

In 2014, while playing high school football, Fitzpatrick caught 45 passes for 1,111 yards and 12 touchdowns on offense and recorded 70 tackles and three interceptions on defense. He also ran track and placed first at the Hudson County Championships.

2015: Freshman Season at Alabama

As a true freshman in 2015, Fitzpatrick started 10 of 14 games for Alabama, recording 45 total tackles, two sacks, two interceptions, 11 pass breakups, and one punt return for a touchdown. He won the national championship over Clemson and was named a Freshman All-American by The Sporting News.

2015: Signed with Alabama

In 2015, Fitzpatrick signed with Alabama on National Signing Day, following a verbal commitment of almost a year.

2016: Record-Breaking Sophomore Season

During his sophomore season in 2016, Fitzpatrick set and tied multiple Alabama Crimson Tide records, including the longest interception returned for a touchdown (100 yards), most interceptions in a game (3), and career interceptions returned for a touchdown (4). He was named a consensus All-American for 2016.

2017: Junior Season Accomplishments

In 2017, during his junior season, Fitzpatrick recorded 60 total tackles, 1.5 sacks, one interception, one forced fumble, and seven passes defensed. He won his second national championship as the Crimson Tide defeated Georgia. He also won the Chuck Bednarik Award and Jim Thorpe Award and earned consensus All-American honors for the second consecutive season.

January 11, 2018: Declared for the NFL Draft

On January 11, 2018, Fitzpatrick announced his decision to enter the 2018 NFL draft, forgoing his remaining college eligibility.

March 7, 2018: Participated in Alabama's Pro Day

On March 7, 2018, Fitzpatrick participated at Alabama's pro day, choosing to stand on his combine numbers except for the short shuttle, three-cone drill, and positional drills.

June 1, 2018: Signed with the Miami Dolphins

On June 1, 2018, Fitzpatrick signed a four-year, $16.4 million contract with the Miami Dolphins, including a $10.04 million signing bonus.

September 9, 2018: NFL Regular Season Debut

On September 9, 2018, Minkah Fitzpatrick made his professional regular season debut for the Miami Dolphins against the Tennessee Titans, recording six combined tackles and breaking up a pass in their 27–20 victory.

September 30, 2018: First Career Interception

On September 30, 2018, Fitzpatrick recorded ten combined tackles, two pass deflections, and his first career interception off a pass by Tom Brady during a game against the New England Patriots.

December 16, 2018: First Career Touchdown

On December 16, 2018, Fitzpatrick intercepted a pass by Kirk Cousins and returned it for 50 yards to score his first career touchdown in a game against the Minnesota Vikings.

2018: Drafted by Miami Dolphins

In 2018, Minkah Fitzpatrick was drafted by the Miami Dolphins of the NFL, after playing college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide.

September 8, 2019: Started at Nickelback

On September 8, 2019, Minkah Fitzpatrick started in the Miami Dolphins' home-opener at nickelback and recorded six combined tackles (four solo) in a 59–10 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

September 13, 2019: Permission to Seek Trade

On September 13, 2019, it was reported that Fitzpatrick was granted permission to have his agent seek a trade, due to unhappiness with his role under Brian Flores and playing out of his natural position.

September 16, 2019: Traded to Pittsburgh Steelers

On September 16, 2019, Minkah Fitzpatrick was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers by the Miami Dolphins, along with draft picks, in exchange for the Steelers' draft picks. He immediately joined the starting lineup.

September 22, 2019: Steelers Debut

On September 22, 2019, Fitzpatrick debuted with the Pittsburgh Steelers, recording five combined tackles, a pass deflection, a forced fumble, and an interception against the San Francisco 49ers.

October 6, 2019: Season-High Tackles

On October 6, 2019, Fitzpatrick collected a season-high seven combined tackles during a game against the Baltimore Ravens.

November 8, 2019: Pick-Six against Colts

On November 8, 2019, Fitzpatrick intercepted a pass thrown by Brian Hoyer and returned it for a 96-yard touchdown, marking the third-longest interception return for a touchdown in Steelers' franchise history in a game against the Indianapolis Colts.

October 18, 2020: Interception Returned for Touchdown

On October 18, 2020, Fitzpatrick intercepted a pass attempt by Baker Mayfield and returned it for a 38-yard touchdown as the Steelers defeated the Cleveland Browns.

November 22, 2020: Season-High Interceptions

On November 22, 2020, Fitzpatrick recorded a season-high two interceptions from passes by Jake Luton in a victory against the Jacksonville Jaguars, helping the Steelers achieve their first 10–0 start in franchise history.

2020: Season Performance and Playoff Berth

In 2020, Fitzpatrick finished the NFL season with 79 combined tackles, four interceptions, and 11 passes defended. He was ranked 52nd on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2021. The Steelers qualified for a playoff berth with a 12–4 record.

2020: Ranked in NFL Top 100 and Pro Bowl Selection

In 2020, Fitzpatrick was ranked 35th by his fellow players in the NFL Top 100 Players and was voted to the 2020 Pro Bowl, marking the first Pro Bowl of his career.

January 17, 2021: First Postseason Game

On January 17, 2021, Fitzpatrick started in his first postseason game, producing six combined tackles as the Steelers lost to the Cleveland Browns in the AFC Wildcard Game.

April 27, 2021: Fifth-Year Option Exercised

On April 27, 2021, the Pittsburgh Steelers exercised the fifth-year option on Fitzpatrick's rookie contract, guaranteeing him $10.61 million for the 2022 season.

December 5, 2021: Interception against Ravens

On December 5, 2021, Fitzpatrick intercepted a pass by Lamar Jackson to tight end Mark Andrews during a 19–20 win against the Baltimore Ravens.

June 15, 2022: Signed Four-Year Contract Extension

On June 15, 2022, Fitzpatrick signed a four-year, $73.61 million contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers, including $36.00 million guaranteed upon signing and a $17.50 million signing bonus, becoming the highest paid safety in the NFL at the time.

September 11, 2022: AFC Defensive Player of the Week

On September 11, 2022, Fitzpatrick collected a season-high 14 combined tackles, intercepted a pass returning it for a touchdown, and blocked a game-winning extra point, earning him AFC Defensive Player of the Week after the Steelers won against the Cincinnati Bengals.

2022: Starting Safety Tandem

In 2022, Mike Tomlin maintained Fitzpatrick and Terrell Edmunds as the starting safety tandem to start the regular season.

January 1, 2023: Interception against Ravens

On January 1, 2023, Fitzpatrick made nine combined tackles, had a pass deflection, and intercepted a pass by Lamar Jackson during a 16–13 victory at the Baltimore Ravens.

December 21, 2024: Intercepted Pass vs. Baltimore Ravens

On December 21, 2024, Fitzpatrick made six combined tackles, two pass deflections, and intercepted a pass attempt by Lamar Jackson to Rashod Bateman in a 17–34 loss at the Baltimore Ravens.

June 30, 2025: Traded to Miami Dolphins

On June 30, 2025, Fitzpatrick, along with a 2027 fifth-round pick, was traded back to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for Jalen Ramsey, Jonnu Smith, and a 2027 seventh-round pick.

2027: Trade Considerations for Miami Dolphins

In a trade on June 30, 2025, Fitzpatrick was traded back to the Miami Dolphins, involving considerations for 2027 draft picks, specifically a fifth-round pick sent with Fitzpatrick and a seventh-round pick received by the Steelers.