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Steelers Sign Two-Time Super Bowl Champion Safety
The Pittsburgh Steelers are signing former Cleveland Brownss safety Juan Thornhill to a one-year deal, according to Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo of NFL Network.
The veteran starter was recently released by Cleveland. He now finds a new home in the AFC North. It’s expected that Thornhill will serve as the Steelers’ No. 3 safety, behind Minkah Fitzpatrick and DeShon Elliott.
Thornhill signed a three-year deal with the Browns as a free agent in 2023, but injuries derailed his stint with Cleveland, missing a total of 12 games over the last two seasons.
Thornhill, who’s 29, started 22 games with the Browns over the last two seasons, recording 103 tackles, one tackle for loss, three quarterback hits and four passes defended.
“First of all, great individual,” Browns executive vice president of football operations and general manager Andrew Berry said of Thornhill on Feb. 25 at the NFL Scouting Combine, via Browns.com. “Thought he played well when he was on the field. But the big thing was just availability. A guy that had been pretty durable during his time in Kansas City but just had a really tough time with the calf injuries throughout his time with us. He’ll go on and play well and catch on, but unfortunately just didn’t work out with us.”
In his six-year career, Thornhill has appeared in 87 games with 74 starts and recorded 337 tackles, six tackles for loss, seven quarterback hits, 24 passes defended, eight interceptions, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and one sack.
All eight of Thornhill’s interceptions came in his four seasons with the Chiefs. He also had 20 passes defended with K.C. Over the last two seasons with the Browns, Thornhill had no interceptions and just four passes defended.
Thornhill was a second-round pick out of Virginia by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2019. He played four seasons with the Chiefs, appearing in three Super Bowls and winning two. He finished his rookie season with 58 combined tackles (42 solo), five passes defended, three interceptions, and one touchdown while starting all 16 games. In addition to being named to the Pro Football Writers of America All-Rookie Team, Thornhill also finished his rookie season with a Super Bowl title. He would become a Super Bowl champion with the Chiefs again in 2022.