Steelers Newcomer Labeled Star of Minicamp originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Pittsburgh Steelers added a new safety this offseason with a championship pedigree, in six-year veteran Juan Thornhill.
Thornhill spent the first four years of his NFL career with the Kansas City Chiefs, winning a pair of Super Bowls with the perennial AFC powerhouse.
In his four years with Kansas City, Thornhill started 52 of his 65 games, calling eight interceptions, 20 pass breakups, 234 tackles, and four quarterback hits.
After spending four years on a championship contender and two-time winner, Thornhill moved to the AFC North, spending two seasons with the Cleveland Browns. Thornhill started all 22 games he played in for the Browns, but his numbers weren't as strong. Thornhill posted four pass breakups and 103 tackles in two seasons, but no interceptions.
While not living up to his Kansas City numbers, Thornhill was still solid overall with the Browns. Despite missing 12 games due to injury, Thornhill posted PFF grades of 66.5 and 65.5, respectively, in his two seasons with Cleveland. Thornhill signed with the Steelers on a one-year, $3 million contract this offseason.
Steelers reporter and Pat McAfee Show corresponded Mark Kaboly was awfully impressed by Thornhill's performance thus far in camp and OTAs, sharing his thoughts on Friday.
"Thornhill is probably one of the unheralded stars of OTAs and minicamp," Kaboly started. "He's better than - who was it - [Damontae] Kazee, last year."
Interestingly enough, Kazee and Thornhill basically got traded for one another, Kazee inked a one-year, $1.4 million contract with Cleveland, hoping to take over Thornhill's starting role after being released by the Browns.
Thornhill might be a little more motivated to have a bounce back this season, especially with his former team on the schedule twice.
“I ain’t got no issues with Cleveland,” Thornhill said during Steelers minicamp. “I’m not worried about them, but they definitely got to see me two times a year. I’m excited about the opportunity for sure.”
Thornhill's versatility in the secondary makes him a much more promising candidate for playing time than Kazee, who saw just 26 percent of snaps last season.
"If they want me back deep, in the box, hanging over the slot, wherever, I can do it,” Thornhill said. “I’m versatile."
Now on his third NFL franchise, Thornhill was a bit worried about the adjustment, but he's been a standout player in camp, and he's fitting in naturally.
"I was worried," he said. "New defense, maybe it would take me some time. But when I got out there, it was natural, and I knew I could go make plays."
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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 16, 2025, where it first appeared.
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