Does Minkah Fitzpatrick’s Recent Outburst Show a Larger Cultural Issue With the Pittsburgh Steelers?

The Pittsburgh Steelers are the record-time Super Bowl winners, along with the Patriots. But that’s past now. And just like the latter, the Steelers remain a shadow of their former self, probably even worse. While no individual can be blamed for this gradual downfall, safety Minkah Fitzpatrick has a clear view of what he wants from his team.

Fitzpatrick recently broke his hands against the Cardinals. The game was supposed to be his comeback after his hamstring injury. Despite that, he went out against the Patriots and gave it his all. In that context, he has preached the mantra of working in unity. Shockingly, he did not hold back while talking about ‘some people’ on the team.

Minkah Fitzpatrick blasts lack of work ethic in the Steelers

NFL’s Steelers reporter Brooke Pryor walked into their locker room following the loss, where the safety was sitting holding a brace for his broken hand. And a calm yet frustrated Fitzpatrick burst into outrage, explaining their mindset to Pryor. “In order to see the fruit, you’ve gotta toil for it. I think too many people don’t want to toil for it. They just want to walk out here and think that they’re going to make plays and think that they’re going to perform at a high level”, he took a direct jibe at his teammates without mentioning any.

“I think we need to have more people who want to work for it, not expect it to be handed to them”, it was clear from his words that he wanted a change in mentality within the team. “This is the NFL. Nothing’s handed to you. You got to earn everything.” Fitzpatrick doubled down in his view.

He further made it clear his idea of mentality. Fitzpatrick said, “I think we need to check that mentality and make people realize that they got to earn that mentality and they got to earn every single blade of grass, every single splash play, and every single rep that they get out there. They got to earn it.”

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Fitzpatrick’s outburst is justified, to say the least. And the owners have already punished the lack of work ethic and mentality in the team very recently.

Minkah Fitzpatrick further proves the Matt Canada issue

Steelers’ offensive coordinator Matt Canada was on the checklist for a long time. His ineffective playcalling landed the Steelers at the bottom of the league, and he was removed from his post on November 21. But even with RB coach Eddie Faulkner serving as interim replacement for Canada, things haven’t changed much. The proof? They are on a 3-game losing streak, the last two of which were against teams with only two wins that far.

Following the Patriots’ embarrassment, HC Mike Tomlin has found himself in the hot seat, probably to no one’s surprise. But amid everything, does Fitzpatrick’s outburst point to a cultural issue in the Steel City? Something that’s hidden deep within their mentality? Probably yes. And they better take care of it soon.

It’s been 13 years since the once-untouchable franchise won their 6th ring, and it could be many more if the whole team fails to resonate with Fitzpatrick, who gave his heart out in the field despite two successive injuries!

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