Sports News

What the NFL community thinks of the massive trade involving Minkah Fitzpatrick, Jalen Ramsey, and Jonnu Smith

After months of flirtation, the Pittsburgh Steelers have landed Jalen Ramsey and Jonnu Smith. Since the offseason began, the cornerback and tight end have been linked to Pittsburgh as a favorable landing spot. General Manager Omar Khan and Steelers brass finally pulled off the deal, but not without losing a key piece of their club as well.

Minkah Fitzpatrick will pull a Will Smith and “Go back to Miami”, where the 28-year-old began his NFL career seven years ago.

Following the Monday morning trade, social media has gone into a frenzy. There is plenty to be said with both NFL fans and players engaging in the conversation.

Blunt reactions to Steelers-Dolphins Monday morning trade

With two of the best secondary members in the NFL on the move, there was no question the NFL world would have something to say.

One NFL player could not help but be disgusted by how Miami managed its stars. Newly acquired Las Vegas Raider Raheem Mostert took to X to explain his distaste of not only his departure but also that of Ramsey and Smith.

In 2023, Ramsey and Mostert each made the NFL’s Pro Bowl. A year later, Smith was the only Dolphin to do so following a career year. With their Pro Bowl-caliber seasons in mind, Mostert is ashamed of the treatment of each player.

NFL Media reactions

Speaking of balling out, one NFL analyst believes the Steelers did just that with this trade. Host of the show “Steelers Talk,” Jack Sperry gave his thoughts.

Another NFL analyst, Peter Schrager, sees the move leaving one option for the Steelers: Super Bowl or bust.

For other Steelers fans, there is concern about bringing in another big-name veteran.

Similarly, another Steelers fan wants Khan and management to address issues elsewhere: wide receiver, safety, and linebacker.

With Aaron Rodgers signing with Pittsburgh less than a month ago, the veteran-youth ratio continues to evolve for the Steelers. One fan took to X to detail the impressive defensive unit Teryl Austin now has to work with.

While the post came before Fitzpatrick was announced in the deal, the remainder of the list is accurate. Between T.J. Watt, Cameron Heyward, Patrick Queen, Darius Slay, and Ramsey, there is a jaw-dropping 29 Pro-Bowl appearances among those five players.

And of course, some of Behind the Steel Curtain’s contributors had reactions to share as well.

In one of the more active offseasons in recent history for the Steelers, will the additions of Ramsey and Smith help them accomplish what they have not done since 2016 and achieve a playoff victory? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Communication issues were a huge problem for the Steelers defense last season

Unless you live under a rock, you’ve heard about the Steelers’ blockbuster trade with the Miami Dolphins in which they acquired DB Jalen Ramsey and TE Jonnu Smith. Still, the trade came at the expense of Minkah Fitzpatrick, a stalwart in the Steelers’ secondary for the past six seasons.

Ironically, Fitzpatrick was acquired from the Dolphins in 2019.

There’s been scuttlebutt that Fitzpatrick rubbed his teammates the wrong way last season after S DeShon Elliott, OLB Alex Highsmith, and most notably DE Cam Heyward, discussed their displeasure after a week 17 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs – their third loss in 11 days.

“When 10 guys do their job and one guy doesn’t, we are screwed” – said the Steelers defensive captain.

Elliott chimed in with some frustration as well.

“First off, guys can’t be [expletive] wide open. That’s the first thing. Just do your job,” Elliott told reporters, via The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Christopher Carter. “I thought we were communicating, [but] guys weren’t doing their frickin’ job.”

Today, multiple members of the Steelers media, including the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Ray Fittipaldo, alluded to Fitzpatrick potentially being part of those problems.

Albeit short but sweet, there was a Steeler who had Fitzpatrick’s back today – linebacker Patrick Queen. In a response on X following a post wishing him well, a fan asked if it was Minkah who was out of position, and Queen abruptly shut it down:

This leads me to believe that Queen wanted to get ahead of the potential fallout of this trade. It’s hard not to trust someone in those meetings over others close to the situation, but for now, this will remain a mystery. There were murmurs that the player Elliott and Highsmith, among others, were referring to was Cam Sutton – who struggled in his return to Pittsburgh.

Regardless, the Steelers defense fell apart at the end of last season, and they will rely on Ramsey, among others, to fix the leaks.