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 is an American professional football safety currently playing in the NFL. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft after a successful college football career at the University of Alabama. He has also played for the Pittsburgh Steelers, demonstrating his versatility and impact on multiple teams. Fitzpatrick is recognized for his skills and contributions as a safety in professional football.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

2015: Freshman Season at Alabama

During his true freshman year 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. Alabama won the national championship over Clemson, and he was named a Freshman All-American by The Sporting News.

2015: Signed with Alabama

In 2015, Fitzpatrick signed with Alabama on National Signing Day, after having been verbally committed for almost a year.

2016: Record-Breaking Interception and All-American Honors

In his sophomore season in 2016, Fitzpatrick achieved a 100-yard interception return against Arkansas, breaking the Alabama Crimson Tide record for the longest interception return for a touchdown. During that same game, he tied the Alabama records for most interceptions in a game (3), and career interceptions returned for a touchdown (4). He was also named as a consensus All-American for 2016.

2017: Second National Championship and Award Wins

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

January 11, 2018: Declared for NFL Draft

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

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

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

June 1, 2018: Signed with Miami Dolphins

On June 1, 2018, Minkah 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, 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, Minkah Fitzpatrick collected ten combined tackles, two pass deflections, and made his first career interception off a pass by quarterback Tom Brady during a 38–7 loss against the New England Patriots.

December 16, 2018: First Career Touchdown

On December 16, 2018, Fitzpatrick recorded a season-high six solo tackles, deflected a pass, and intercepted a pass by Kirk Cousins and returned it for a 50-yard touchdown during a 17–41 loss at the Minnesota Vikings, marking his first career touchdown.

2018: Drafted by Miami Dolphins

In 2018, Minkah Fitzpatrick was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the first round of the NFL draft. He previously played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide.

September 8, 2019: Started at Nickelback

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

September 13, 2019: Trade Request

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

September 16, 2019: Traded to Pittsburgh Steelers

On September 16, 2019, Minkah Fitzpatrick was traded from the Miami Dolphins to the Pittsburgh Steelers along with draft picks. In return, the Steelers sent draft picks to the Dolphins. He immediately became the starting free safety for the Steelers.

September 22, 2019: Debut with Steelers and Interception

On September 22, 2019, Fitzpatrick debuted with the Pittsburgh Steelers, recording five combined tackles, a pass deflection, forced a fumble, and intercepted a pass by Jimmy Garoppolo in their 24–20 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.

October 6, 2019: Season-High Tackles

On October 6, 2019, Fitzpatrick collected a season-high seven combined tackles during a 26–23 loss against the Baltimore Ravens.

November 8, 2019: Pick-Six Against Colts

On November 8, 2019, Fitzpatrick recorded seven tackles, one pass deflection, and intercepted a pass thrown by Brian Hoyer, returning it for a 96-yard touchdown in a 26–24 win against the Indianapolis Colts. It was the third-longest interception return for a touchdown in franchise history.

October 18, 2020: Touchdown Against Browns

On October 18, 2020, Fitzpatrick made one tackle, a pass deflection, and intercepted a pass attempt by Baker Mayfield and returned it for a 38-yard touchdown in the Steelers' 38–7 win against the Cleveland Browns.

November 22, 2020: Two Interceptions Against Jaguars

On November 22, 2020, Fitzpatrick made five combined tackles, two pass deflections, and set a season-high with two interceptions from passes by Jake Luton in a 27–3 victory against the Jacksonville Jaguars. This helped the Steelers achieve their first 10–0 start in franchise history.

2020: Draft Pick Trade

In 2020, as part of the trade from the Miami Dolphins to the Pittsburgh Steelers made on September 16, 2019, the Miami Dolphins received a first round pick (Austin Jackson) and a fifth round pick (Jason Strowbridge).

2020: 2020 NFL Season

In the 2020 NFL season, Minkah Fitzpatrick recorded 79 combined tackles (60 solo), four interceptions, 11 passes defended, and one forced fumble. He was ranked 52nd by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2021. The Pittsburgh Steelers won the AFC North with a 12-4 record and qualified for the playoffs.

January 17, 2021: First Postseason Game

On January 17, 2021, Fitzpatrick started in his first postseason game, producing six combined tackles in the Steelers' 37-48 loss 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 Minkah Fitzpatrick's rookie contract, guaranteeing him $10.61 million for the 2022 season.

December 5, 2021: Interception against the Ravens

On December 5, 2021, Fitzpatrick made nine combined tackles, a pass deflection, and had an interception on a throw by Lamar Jackson to tight end Mark Andrews during a 19–20 win against the Baltimore Ravens.

2021: Draft Pick Trade

In 2021, as part of the trade from the Miami Dolphins to the Pittsburgh Steelers made on September 16, 2019, the Miami Dolphins received a sixth round pick that was eventually traded to the New York Jets.

June 15, 2022: Signed New Contract with Steelers

On June 15, 2022, the Pittsburgh Steelers signed Minkah Fitzpatrick to a four-year, $73.61 million contract. At the time, with an annual salary of $18.4 million, this made him the highest paid safety in the NFL.

September 11, 2022: Standout Performance Against Bengals

On September 11, 2022, Fitzpatrick had an excellent start to the season. He collected a season-high 14 combined tackles, deflected a pass, intercepted Joe Burrow's first pass attempt and returned it for a touchdown. Fitzpatrick also blocked a game-winning extra point, leading to a Steelers' victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. This performance earned him AFC Defensive Player of the Week.

2022: Starting Safety

In 2022, Head coach Mike Tomlin chose to remain with Fitzpatrick and Terrell Edmunds as the starting safety tandem to kickoff 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 thrown by Lamar Jackson during a 16–13 victory at the Baltimore Ravens.

October 29, 2023: Hamstring Injury

On October 29, 2023, Minkah Fitzpatrick suffered a hamstring injury during a 20–10 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, causing him to be sidelined for four consecutive games.

December 16, 2023: Left Knee Injury

On December 16, 2023, Fitzpatrick injured his left knee in the second quarter of a 13–30 loss to the Indianapolis Colts and was inactive for the last three games of the season.

January 15, 2024: AFC Wildcard Game

On January 15, 2024, Fitzpatrick had ten combined tackles (five solo) during a 17–31 loss at the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Wildcard Game.

December 21, 2024: Interception vs. Baltimore Ravens

On December 21, 2024, Fitzpatrick made six combined tackles (two solo), 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.

2025: Pro Bowl Selection

In 2025, Fitzpatrick was voted to the 2025 Pro Bowl, along with T. J. Watt, Cameron Heyward, and Chris Boswell.

2027: Trade Considerations

In 2027, the trade on June 30, 2025 between Fitzpatrick and Miami Dolphins will include considerations of a fifth-round pick by Fitzpatrick and a seventh-round pick by the Miami Dolphins