Sleeper Steelers DB Continues Strong Ascent up Depth Chart

UNITY TWP., Pa. — Trenton Thompson is the guy who no one saw coming in the Steelers’ secondary on Friday when he nabbed an interception. After that play, he turned out to have a bit of a feast-or-famine game, but his willingness to play around the football and be a versatile piece endeared him to the Steelers coaching staff. On Sunday, he worked with some of the first-team snaps alongside Damontae Kazee and Minkah Fitzpatrick in their three-safety set.

But that is not where it ended for Thompson. He ended up following that in-game interception against the Buccaneers with a strong Sunday that he could be proud of in tandem with Friday’s performance. For a guy who was just signed due to a litany of injuries in the safety room, Thompson is making the most of the opportunities that the Steelers continue to give him as he impresses day over day.

Thompson, after making an interception on Friday, had three pass breakups today and worked in some with the first team in their three safety package. I’ll buy into what Thompson is doing right now. He is an older second-year player and is gunning right for a practice squad spot with his continued playmaking ability coming to life.

Thompson, 25, is a 6-foot-1, 196-pound safety from San Diego State. He joined the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent after the 2022 NFL Draft and played one game as a rookie in 2022.

The Giants initially released Thompson at the outset of training camp and added him to the practice squad, but was promoted to the active roster on Nov. 23. He played 12 snaps, all on special teams, and then was released back to the practice squad. He has enough familiarity with some teammates around the Steelers, such as Luq Barcoo, to make himself at home and push for a spot on the practice squad.