Throughout much of the 2021 season, star Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick had to adjust his role in then-defensive coordinator Keith Butler’s scheme, serving as more of a downhill run supporter rather than a center field, ball-hawking safety due to injuries and poor play in front of him.
Now, following some key additions, return to health and secondary coach Teryl Austin taking over as the new defensive coordinator in the Steel City following Butler’s retirement, the Steelers should see Fitzpatrick get back to his play-making ways once again in 2022.
For Cincinnati Bengals’ fourth-year head coach Zac Taylor, the understanding and appreciation of just how great Fitzpatrick is remains, but there is some uncertainty about just what his role will be and what the Steelers will ask their star safety to do this year, causing some headaches when it comes to game planning for the Steelers’ defense ahead of the Week 1 matchup Sunday at Paycor Stadium.