Steelers Now
UNITY TWP, Pa. — Years down the line, fans will put together lists naming the stingiest NFL defenses ever. Of course, the 2000 Baltimore Ravens come to mind. The 1985 Chicago Bears, too. And then there’s the 2025 Pittsburgh Steelers.
Steelers safety Juan Thornhill made it known after Wednesday’s training camp practice. The group he’s been working alongside at St. Vincent College over the past two weeks can be special.
“I think it could be one of the best of all time,” Thornhill said. “And I’m putting that in the air right now — one of the best of all time.”
Led by a pair of four-time first-team Associated Press All-Pros in Cam Heyward and T.J. Watt, the unit consists of a plethora of noteworthy names. Defensive back Jalen Ramsey has three such nods. Another secondary addition, Darius Slay, has made six Pro Bowls.
Another Steelers safety, DeShon Elliott, said last month that he sees the Steelers’ defense being a top-5 unit in the league and “maybe even No. 1.”
“Literally, we’ve got pieces everywhere,” Thornhill said. “Look at the roster, look at who we have. It’s incredible. Literally, I don’t feel like there’s a weakness on the defense. If you look at most teams, you know you’ve got the fish out there, the one or two people that’s like, ‘Eh, I’m not sure.’
“But, with us, we’ve got a front that’s unbelievable, linebackers that’s great and DBs that can cover anyone.”
Thornhill is one of the guys tasked with replacing Minkah Fitzpatrick, who was shipped to the Miami Dolphins in the trade that brought Ramsey to Pittsburgh. With everyone around him, he’s excited for the opportunities that could pop up.
“You’ve got guys up front, then we’ve got guys on the corner that can cover guys very well,” Thornhill said. “That (forces) the quarterback to throw the ball to the middle of the field a lot more, which allows me to make more plays on the ball.”
Alan Saunders contributed to reporting for this story.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Best Ever? Juan Thornhill Sets High Standard for Steelers Defense
