Tim Benz: Minkah Fitzpatrick’s quotes about Patrick Mahomes were confident, not cocky
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As you may have heard by now, safety Minkah Fitzpatrick “is” the Steelers’ first-round choice in this month’s upcoming NFL Draft.
At least that’s what people keep demanding that I say.
Does that mean Derick Brassard “was” the Penguins’ first-round pick in 2018? You never hear that trade presented in such a fashion. Maybe that’s because, by extension, that now means either Nick Bjugstad or Jared McCann “is” that pick now?
Oof! The accounting trick isn’t quite as impressive when you frame it that way, is it?
I hate employing that logic about the Fitzpatrick trade because it feels like Steelers fans — and Kevin Colbert himself — are trying to shine up a trade that sparkles on its own.
Why bother? Fitzpatrick is a great player. An All-Pro. Worthy of the price paid without the extra elbow grease.
No need to make it sound like you stole something that you already got for a great deal.
In fact, the third-year 2020 first-round pick-to-be (See. It looks really weird when you put it in print, doesn’t it?) is already so good that ESPN appears to be subtly positioning him as defensive foil for NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes.
At least that’s what I think ESPN was doing with this headline late last week: “Why Minkah Fitzpatrick doesn’t ‘fear’ Patrick Mahomes.”
If you click that link and expect some sort of bulletin board material, sorry to disappoint. Fitzpatrick didn’t give any.
Unless you are squinting really, really hard.
Before I get to the quote, note that Stephen A. Smith’s question on “First Take” was about New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady’s decision to go to the NFC with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers via free agency. Smith says some have inferred that was a wise move because Brady should’ve been fearful that Mahomes will dominate the AFC in Kansas City for years to come.
Smith asked Fitzpatrick if he believed Mahomes “should instill fear in a lot of opponents in the National Football League.”
“I’m a grown man,” Fitzpatrick replied. “I prepare very diligently for what I do. So I don’t really fear anybody out there on the field.”
I’m still squinting. And I still don’t see it.
Sure. Out of context, I bet some Chiefs fans may see that isolated quote and interpret Fitzpatrick as downplaying Mahomes’ abilities. That might have a faint scent of “trash talk” if you merely saw that part of the quotation on Twitter.
Frankly, Brady and his coach, Bill Belichick, would probably take those few words and talk themselves into believing the guy who said it made fun of their mothers.
Mahomes, with Andy Reid as his coach? Nah! Not necessary. Which is probably part of the reason why those guys so often come across as likeable as they do.
One way worked great for Brady and Belichick. Another way is working out nicely for Mahomes and Reid.
Plus, there’s the rest of what Fitzpatrick had to say as well.
“There are some players you come across and you are, like, ‘Dang, that’s a good player. He’s a unique-type player,’” Fitzpatrick continued. “I could say that about Patrick Mahomes. Preparing for him you have to prepare for things you aren’t used to. No-look passes. Crazy side-arm passes.
“He’s a great player. Obviously, he gets results. Preparing for him, you might be going in with a little bit more of a chip on your shoulder. But it’s a little bit extreme to say that I fear going against another player.”
Nor should he.
Honestly, based on how quarterbacks started to avoid the deep middle of the field after Fitzpatrick stole five interceptions in his first seven games in Black and Gold, maybe opposing QBs were afraid of him.
He said as much after the season ended.
Similarly, though, if Smith were to have asked a question of Mahomes about Fitzpatrick, my guess is Mahomes would’ve said exactly the same thing.
The difference is Mahomes could avoid Fitzpatrick if he wanted to do so and potentially be just as effective. The only way for Fitzpatrick to avoid Mahomes would be if Fitzpatrick’s own offense could keep both men on their respective sidelines.
Given the schedules for next year, we won’t find out unless there is a matchup in the playoffs. And if that happens, don’t be surprised if Fitzpatrick’s comments are leveraged as being more bluster than what they really were.
It sure would be fun to find out if either player played with “fear” of the other. My bet is neither would.
As should be the case.