Behind the Steel Curtain
The newest Steelers safety believes he’s a better player than people are making him out to be, calls on people to watch the film.
“They brought me in to take away the deep ball.”
Steelers safety Juan Thornhill didn’t forget to pack his confidence and swagger to St. Vincent College in Latrobe for training camp. Meeting with the media as the Steelers reported to camp, Thornhill spoke out on why the Steelers brought him to Pittsburgh.
Specifically, he noted his ability to take away the big plays downfield and how offenses have chosen to stay away from him, rather than attack.
“If you watch my history, a lot of teams don’t really throw the deep ball, if I’m being honest, once I’m a part of that defense,” Thornhill said. “That’s why I think my production has been down.”
The Steelers signed Thornhill in mid-March to a one-year, $3 million deal. At the time, the deal seemed like a move to add depth by acquiring a player capable of backing up Minkah Fitzpatrick at free safety. After the Steelers shockingly traded Fitzpatrick back to the Miami Dolphins for cornerback Jalen Ramsey and tight end Jonnu Smith, it looks like a more calculated move by the Steelers.
Thornhill, 29, won two Super Bowls with the Kansas City Chiefs before spending the last two seasons in Cleveland. He didn’t record an interception in 22 games, similar to Fitzpatrick’s run of 26 games without a pick before snapping the streak on Dec. 21 in Baltimore.
“Same with Minkah (Fitzpatrick) as well. Minkah is a great player. If you have a great guy back there that can make a lot of plays on the ball in the deep third, teams aren’t really going to try you back there,” Thornhill said. “That’s why a guy like Minkah, they said he struggled a little bit. He didn’t struggle. You just can’t get interceptions if the ball isn’t coming your way.”
Questions remain on the depth at safety behind Thornhill and a position GM Omar Khan may look to add to after subtracting a three-time All-Pro. Thornhill said he’s excited to pair with DeShon Elliott, who joined the Steelers from Baltimore last season and played well in the box and moving around the defense as a versatile chess piece for Mike Tomlin and a consistent tackler.
“Bring it. I’ve been around him a lot talking to him,” Thornhill said, excited to take the field with Elliott, who received a three-year extension over the offseason. “He’s a physical guy. I feel like I’m a physical guy. We both can cover well, so I think we’ll do well together.”
Pro Football Focus ranked Thornhill as the 71st-ranked safety overall, last season, earning a 65.5 grade on defense. He graded below average as a run defender (61.7), but 54th in coverage grade (64.5) and 30th in pass rush (66.9).
Thornhill combined for 103 tackles and four passes defended, but only one tackle for loss and no forced fumbles. Thornhill believes he’s...
