The Steelers’ blockbuster trade Monday night makes more sense now. Minkah Fitzpatrick will take Sean Davis‘ roster spot. Pittsburgh’s fourth-year safety landed on IR due to a shoulder injury he suffered Sunday.
Davis missed the Steelers’ opener with an ankle injury, and after the Week 2 malady, the improving back-line defender will be out at least eight weeks. This marks a rough development in Davis’ contract year.
This was set to be a prove-it year for the former second-round pick, with the Steelers not planning to give Davis an extension before this season’s conclusion. Davis has started 41 games with Pittsburgh since his 2016 rookie slate, and after a brutal 2017, he showed promise last season.
Fitzpatrick did not have a clear role in Miami. Playing safety alongside the Steelers’ 2018 first-round pick, Terrell Edmunds, may be his first job in Pittsburgh.
The move made sense even before Davis went on IR as he was Davis’ replacement. Davis was going to get paid more than the Steelers would want to pay and now they have Fitzpatrick under contract for up to 3 more years.