Minkah Fitzpatrick blasts Steelers teammates after frustrating loss to Patriots: 'They gotta earn it'

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Three-time All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick did not like what he saw from the Pittsburgh Steelers during Thursday night's upset loss to the New England Patriots.

New England entered the game with just two wins and had struggled to find any consistency at quarterback. The Steelers were the overwhelming favorite to win but lost 21-18.

Longtime head coach Mike Tomlin decided to move on from offensive coordinator Matt Canada earlier this season. 

Mitch Trubisky filled in for the injured Kenny Pickett at quarterback Thursday, but the offensive woes continued.

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Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick warms up before a game against the New England Patriots at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh Dec 7, 2023. (Charles LeClaire/USA Today Sports)

Patriots quarterback Bailey Zappe threw for three touchdowns in the first half. 

The Steelers' playoff hopes have taken a significant hit with back-to-back losses, and they face the surging Indianapolis Colts Dec. 16.

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Fitzpatrick suggested some of his teammates were not interested in putting in the hard work necessary for a successful season.

"In order to see fruit, you gotta toil for it. I think too many people don’t want to toil for it," Fitzpatrick said after the loss. "They just want to walk out here and think that they gonna make plays and think that they gonna perform at a high level. 

"I think we need to have more people who want to work for it and not expect it to be handed to them because this is the NFL, and nothing’s handed to you. You