Minkah Fitzpatrick Becomes Highest Paid Safety in NFL History

Former Alabama players in the NFL are no strangers to success, and Minkah Fitzpatrick has already ascended to legend status amongst them.

Wednesday, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Fitzpatrick agreed to a deal that will make him the highest paid safety ever in the NFL. The reported deal, four years and over $73.6 million, comes after a long series of negotiations in which many Steelers fans wondered why it was taking so long. Now, they have officially secured an integral part of their defense for at least four more seasons.

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The deal will pay Fitzpatrick $36 million guaranteed at signing, and about $18.4 million a year. The young superstar has only been with Pittsburgh since the early weeks of the 2019 season, but has recorded 260 combined tackles and 11 interceptions during his time in black and yellow.

Minkah was notably a key contributor to the dominant Crimson Tide defenses of 2015, 2016, and 2017. After staking his claim as one of the most elite defensive backs in the country, the Miami Dolphins selected him 11th overall in 2018. After only one season plus two games in 2019, the team traded him to the Steelers for a first round pick. Now, Pittsburgh is banking on Fitzpatrick, alongside T.J. Watt, being a key piece of their defense for years to come.