Former Cleveland Browns safety has found a new home, officially agreeing to a one-year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday night. The deal, first reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, comes after he weighed offers from both the Steelers and the San Francisco 49ers, whom he visited last Thursday. Ultimately, the veteran safety felt Pittsburgh provided the best opportunity for him to contribute and revitalize his career.
The Star, a former second-round pick by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2019 NFL Draft out of Virginia, made an immediate impact in Kansas City. Over four seasons, he developed into a dependable defensive presence, winning two Super Bowls before entering free agency. In 2023, he signed a three-year, $21 million contract with the Cleveland Browns, but his time there was cut short. The Browns released him this past February before the final year of his deal, which was set to pay him $7 million. Thornhill’s release was largely attributed to concerns over his durability, as he missed six games in each of the past two seasons. Additionally, his high cap hit made him a potential roster casualty.
Despite his injury struggles, Thornhill remained productive when on the field. In 2024, he appeared in 11 games for the Browns, registering 49 total tackles and three pass breakups. Over his five-year NFL career, he has played in 87 games, making 74 starts. His resume includes eight career interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown during his rookie season.
With Pittsburgh, Thornhill is expected to provide valuable depth in the secondary. While he will likely serve as a backup to Minkah Fitzpatrick at free safety, he could also see the field in nickel packages. Strong safety DeShon Elliott is firmly entrenched as the starter, having performed well last season. Thornhill’s presence gives the Steelers additional experience and flexibility in their defensive rotations.
Perhaps the most intriguing subplot of Thornhill’s signing is the opportunity to face his former team twice this upcoming season. The Steelers and Browns are fierce AFC North rivals, meeting twice a year in heated divisional battles. Thornhill will undoubtedly have extra motivation to prove Cleveland wrong for cutting him loose, making those matchups even more compelling.
By joining the Steelers, Thornhill is betting on himself, hoping to stay healthy and reestablish his value as a key defensive contributor. If he performs well, he could turn this one-year deal into a long-term opportunity in Pittsburgh or elsewhere in the league.
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