With Minkah, Kazee Still Out, Steelers Add Free Agent Safety

UNITY TWP., Pa. — The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed safety Trenton Thompson, the team announced on Wednesday.

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

The Steelers have been lacking depth at the safety position, with starting free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick missing time for personal reasons and starting strong safety Damontae Kazee out with an ankle injury.

Keanu Neal, Tre Norwood and Kenny Robinson have played the bulk of the safety snaps so far in the second week of training camp at St. Vincent College.

Thompson will add to that group, giving the Steelers a fuller compliment, and also challenge Miles Killebrew as a player that could be a special teams player from that spot on the roster.

A native of Palm Springs, California, Thompson was a three-star recruit out of high school and pick San Diego State. He was a starter for the first time in his redshirt sophomore season in 2018.

Given an extra season of eligibility, Thompson returned to SDSU in 2021 and was a team captain. He recored 44 tackles, three interceptions, broke up 15 passes and forced a fumble and earned All-Mountain West and All-American selections. He had a 61.4 overall grade from Pro Football Focus.

He ran a 4.61-second 40-yard dash in his pre-draft process and also showed below-average athleticism and agility, with a 4.67 Relative Athletic Score.

Thompson joins a surprising number of former San Diego State players on the Steelers, including cornerback Luq Barcoo, running back Greg Bell, wide receiver Jordan Byrd, guard Bill Dunkle and Kazee.