Steelers All 90: Trenton Thompson Reunites With Familiar Faces

The Pittsburgh Steelers added another former San Diego State player this offseason when they signed Trenton Thompson to a one-year deal. Thompson joins a surprising number of former Aztec players on the Steelers, including cornerback Luq Barcoo, running back Greg Bell, wide receiver Jordan Byrd, guard Bill Dunkle, and fellow safety Damontae Kazee.

It is uncommon for a player to have as many college teammates on their professional team as Thompson has and while it does not give him any extra edges in regard to making the team, he claimed that it brought him a sense of familiarity upon his arrival.

“I feel like it’s not that common but coming into a new NFL team with a lot of your [college] teammates gives you a little more [comfortability,]” Thompson said. “It was just easier coming in here instead of going to a new place where I don’t know anybody.”

Thompson was friends with all of his current teammates at San Diego State but actually lived with Barcoo during their time at the university.

“I’d say I am close with all of them,” Thompson stated. “But, Luq Barcoo, I lived with him so it might be a little bit different [in regard to him] but college teammates are college teammates, I am close with everybody.”

With Barcoo being a cornerback and Thompson being a safety, their positions are similar but at the NFL level, Thompson claimed that there is not much he can rely on Barcoo for in regard to terminology.

“Luq [Barcoo] plays corner so his terminology and what he has to know is completely different from the safety standpoint,” said Thompson.

Thompson is among the newest additions to the Steelers’ 90-man roster as he signed with the team during the second week of training camp after the safety room endured multiple injuries and the absence of Minkah Fitzpatrick. With little to no track record in the NFL, to try to make a mark after signing so late in the offseason is a tough ask but due to Thompson’s IQ and the more simple playbook that the Steelers use, he thinks he is coming along at a fine pace.

“First thing that I picked up is that the Steelers practice is way different,” said Thompson. “Terminology is pretty much that same, they don’t got as much terminology as my last playbook did so it makes it a little bit easier to catch on and get to it but I feel like I picked up on the playbook faster than I did on my last playbook so I am pretty happy with that.”

Thompson signed with the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent following the 2022 NFL Draft and spent the season primarily on the practice squad. Despite being promoted to the team’s active roster for one game last season, Thompson only played 12 snaps for the Giants with all coming on special teams.

While it is unlikely that Thompson makes the Steelers’ 53-man roster, he has a chance to impress the coaches enough to earn a spot on the Steelers’ practice squad in 2023. Regardless, Thompson was a spot-filling move by the Steelers and they can cut ties with him at any point this season without incurring any dead money penalties.

17 • Trenton Thompson, Safety, San Diego State
6-foot-1, 196 pounds, 25 years old, 2nd Season

Acquired: The Steelers signed Thompson on Aug. 2, 2023, after the team suffered multiple injuries at the safety position during the second week of training camp.

Career: Thompson went undrafted in the 2022 NFL Draft but signed with the New York Giants as a priority free agent. After failing to make the Giants’ 53-man roster, Thompson was re-signed to the team’s practice squad for the 2022 NFL season.

The Giants promoted Thompson to the team’s active roster on Nov. 23. He played 12 snaps, all on special teams, and then was released back to the practice squad.

He was re-signed to a reserve/future contract for the 2023 season, but released on July 25 before the start of training camp.

College: After mulling seven Division I offers in high school, Thompson decided to commit to San Diego State University to further his football career. As a true freshman in 2016, Thompson played in a backup role as he appeared in seven games. He finished the season with eight tackles and one pass defended.

In 2017, Thompson appeared in three games before suffering a season-ending injury. He ultimately red-shirted as a sophomore as he played in less than four games. Thompson returned in 2018 to start eight of his 13 appearances for the Aztecs. He totaled 57 combined tackles, one interception, one forced fumble, three passes defended, two tackles for loss, and a blocked punt that he returned for a touchdown.

Trenton Thompson — San Diego State Athletics

As a redshirt junior in 2019, Thompson started five games and appeared in 12 games in total for San Diego State. He racked up 44 total tackles and two passes defended.

In 2020’s COVID-shortened season, Thompson appeared in seven games and started four of them. He amassed 36 total tackles, and three passes defended as a redshirt senior. Following the 2020 season, Thompson decided to return to San Diego State under the NCAA’s blanket waiver for all student-athletes affected by the pandemic.

As a sixth-year senior, Thompson started all 14 games for the Aztecs. He managed to tally 41 combined tackles, one forced fumble, and 3.5 tackles for loss. Additionally, Thompson recorded a career-high two interceptions and 17 passes defended in his final season at San Diego State. Following the season, College Football Focus and Pro Football Network named Thompson an All-American. In addition, the league’s coaches and media named Thompson to the first team All-Mountain West.

Over his six seasons as an Aztec, Thompson appeared in 55 games and recorded 187 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss, one sack, three interceptions, 26 passes defended, and two forced fumbles.

Salary cap and future: Thompson signed a one-year deal worth $750,000 with the Steelers this offseason. His base salary is the entire $750,000 which means that the team can decide to cut him and not incur any dead money in 2023.

If Thompson makes the team in 2023, he will become an exclusive rights free agent following the upcoming season.

The rest of the 90: