It seemed like a curious decision at the time.

On Sept. 16, the day it was announced quarterback Ben Roethlisberger would be out for the season because of an elbow injury, the Pittsburgh Steelers made a bold move.

However, it wasn’t to address Roethlisberger’s injury and fortify the most important position on offense for a team that had was 0-2. No, the Steelers swung a trade — giving up their first-round draft pick in 2020 — to get defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick.

In subsequent weeks, the deal made more and more sense and turned out to provide the missing piece to a defensive puzzle that, at times in previous seasons, lacked playmakers.

Fitzpatrick, a second-year safety, was part of a group that forced five turnovers the next week in San Francisco. The interceptions and fumble recoveries kept coming.

The Steelers finished the year leading the NFL with 38 takeaways, their 20 interceptions ranking second, and their 18 fumble recoveries representing a league high.

The addition of Fitzpatrick solidified the back end of a defense that featured arguably the NFL’s best pass-rushing tandem in T.J. Watt and Bud Dupree, one of the top defensive linemen in Cameron Heyward and dependable corners in Joe Haden and Steve Nelson.

The defense finished fourth in fewest yards per game — matching its 2018 production — but moved up from ninth to fourth in fewest points allowed. And the defense greatly improved over a 2018 season in which only two NFL teams forced fewer turnovers and the Steelers tied a franchise-low with eight interceptions.

The turnover-crazed defense made up for an offense that, without its star quarterback, was one of the worst in franchise history.

Just as significant is the Steelers are guaranteed of having all of those core players — with the exception of Dupree — back in 2020.

Dupree and nose tackle Javon Hargrave are the only starters not under contract for next season. Coach Mike Tomlin said getting a deal done with Dupree is a priority, and the Steelers could keep him for another year by applying the franchise tag worth $16.22 million. The Steelers could fit Dupree’s salary under the cap by making other cost-cutting moves, but it is almost uncertain they can’t afford Dupree and Hargrave, who also is an unrestricted free agent.

Stephon Tuitt’s return from a pectoral injury that limited him to six games will offset the loss of Hargrave. Heyward has one year left on his contract, and top backup Tyson Alualu also is signed for 2020.

At inside linebacker, the Steelers must decide whether to bring back Mark Barron, who is set to make $5.25 million in salary and roster bonus next year. He played the second-most snaps at his position behind rookie Devin Bush, who is expected to take on a larger role in 2020.

At outside linebacker, releasing backup Anthony Chickillo would provide a $5 million savings that could be used for Dupree. By giving a two-year deal to Tuzar Skipper, the Steelers could be preparing for Chickillo’s departure. Watt, coming off a breakout season, also could be signed to a long-term deal.

The starting secondary returns intact. Nelson, considered a Pro Bowl snub, was an immediate upgrade over Artie Burns, who won’t be brought back. He has two years remaining on his contract, same as Haden.

Fitzpatrick and strong safety Terrell Edmunds can be under team control for three more seasons each if the Steelers exercise their fifth-year options, a decision that doesn’t need to be made until 2021. Even starting slot corner Mike Hilton is a restricted free agent who can be retained for about $3 million.

In addition to Burns, the Steelers gladly will let safety Sean Davis walk in free agency. It was Davis’ shoulder injury in the second game of the season — his only appearance of the season — that prompted the Steelers to make the trade for Fitzpatrick.

As much as the Roethlisberger injury crippled the Steelers offense, Davis’ injury turned out to be a blessing in disguise for the defense — one that could pay dividends in 2020 and beyond.

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