Dawgs By Nature
When the Cleveland Browns signed FS Juan Thornhill during the 2023 NFL free agency period, many believed the team got a huge upgrade at a vital position. Thornhill was brought in to replace S John Johnson III, who failed as a big free agent addition and was released a couple of years after signing in Cleveland.
Little did anyone know, but Thornhill would follow in Johnson’s footsteps as a free agent bust for the Browns.
After being released this offseason, Thornhill decided to stay in the AFC North, signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers. A few months later, the Steelers put a lot of faith in Thornhill and the rest of their safety room when they traded away Minkah Fitzpatrick to acquire Jalen Ramsey.
Thornhill was defensive of his time in Cleveland, saying that his film “had a lot of good plays” and that he “was very productive in that defense.” In two seasons, Thornhill played in just 22 games, had four passes defended, 103 tackles, three QB hits, one tackle for loss, and zero interceptions, sacks, forced fumbles, or fumble recoveries.
Pro Football Focus graded Thornhill at 66.5 and 65.5 overall in his two seasons with the Browns.
His time in Pittsburgh has been worse, including a 36.9 grade, and the Steelers released the former Kansas City Chiefs star halfway through the season:
In nine games this year, Thornhill had one start and accumulated 38 tackles, one pass defended, one fumble recovery, and one tackle for loss.
Given how bad the Cincinnati Bengals defense has been, it will be interesting if Thornhill continues his tour of the AFC North with a chance to play on three of the four teams in the same calendar year. With Thornhill’s release coming after the NFL trade deadline, the safety must first clear waivers before potentially signing with another team.
