The Pittsburgh Steelers signed S Juan Thornhill again in March to exchange S Damontae Kazee, filling the important third security function behind Minkah Fitzpatrick and DeShon Elliott. Thornhill signed with the workforce on a one-year deal price $3 million, representing a prove-it deal situation for the veteran defensive again.
If you look again on Thornhill’s profession to this point, his signing makes him arguably the workforce’s largest free agent wild card heading into the 2025 season. Thornhill involves Pittsburgh after a two-year stint with the Cleveland Browns that was lackluster, at greatest. He performed and began 11 video games each in 2023 and 2024, lacking time because of calf accidents which have been a problem courting again to his closing season with the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs in 2022.
Thornhill signed a three-year deal price $21 million with Cleveland forward of the 2023 season, however solely obtained to see two years of that contact as his play didn’t warrant the cash for which he signed. Thornhill managed to rack up 104 whole tackles (72 solo), one deal with for loss, 4 move deflections and no interceptions in his two seasons with the Browns, failing to safe a turnover in both season whereas having his effort questioned at occasions. That included one play in opposition to the New Orleans Saints the place he noticeably pulled up in pursuit of the ball provider and allowed a landing.
Nevertheless, once you have a look at Thornhill’s tenure in Kansas Metropolis, you see a security who was greater than deserving of the contract that he acquired from Cleveland. Thornhill began 52 of 65 video games performed throughout his time with the Chiefs within the common season, posting 234 whole tackles (161 solo) 5 tackles for loss, a sack, a compelled fumble, a fumble restoration, 20 move deflections and eight interceptions (one returned for a landing).
He received two Tremendous Bowls with Kansas Metropolis, offering an athletic defender on the again finish of the protection who confirmed spectacular pursuit to the soccer and the vary to impression passes as a middle area security.
Head coach Mike Tomlin spoke extremely of Thornhill after signing him, stating the necessity for 3 high quality safeties on the sector to higher match up with a number of tight finish units and needing guys that may be scheme/place versatile. Thornhill suits the invoice, having performed 3,079 snaps at free security, 802 within the field and 639 within the slot throughout 4,657 whole NFL snaps. He moved round extra throughout his time in Kansas Metropolis, however Cleveland primarily saved him at his pure free security spot.
Tomlin additionally talked about the signing of Thornhill as the rationale why the Steelers didn’t choose a security within the 2025 NFL Draft, stating that they felt comfy with what he delivered to the desk as their No. 3 security behind Fitzpatrick and Elliott. Pittsburgh did signal Iowa security Sebastian Castro as a UDFA on the conclusion of the draft. He additionally brings some versatility to the desk, however Thornhill is clearly the favourite to see probably the most time behind the starters and be that third security Pittsburgh deploys of their sub packages.
It’s a story of two tales for Juan Thornhill. On one hand, he appeared like a proficient, younger security throughout his time with the Chiefs, having his play earn him a sizeable contract in free company. Alternatively, accidents and suspect play throughout his time with the Browns led to an early termination of his contract, permitting Pittsburgh to signal him on a budget this offseason.
Thornhill has loads to show this season with the Steelers, as he appears to point out his final two years in Cleveland had been a fluke and extra hampered because of accidents. He appears to return to the productive participant he was throughout his time in Kansas Metropolis. He’ll be a reputation to observe all through coaching camp and the preseason as his play can both present an enormous enhance to Pittsburgh’s secondary or hold it comparatively the identical to the place it was a season in the past.
