Thornhill willing to do 'whatever it takes to win'
ALYSA RUBIN / STEELERS
Juan Thornhill participates in mandatory minicamp June 10 at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.
After safety Juan Thornhill's contract was terminated by the Browns back in March, a fresh start was needed.
Thornhill won two Super Bowls during his four seasons with the Chiefs before starting in all 22 of the games he played during two rather injury-plagued seasons with the Browns. He missed six games with a calf injury in 2023 and then missed five more with the same injury last year. At times, he played through those injuries, too. But that's all in the past.
Now, after signing a one-year contract soon after his departure from the Browns, Thornhill is a Pittsburgh Steeler. And as a member of the black and gold, the former second-round pick will be expected to provide secondary depth behind the likes of MinkahFitzpatrick and DeShon Elliott in his seventh season in the National Football League.
"Having a guy like Minkah, he's done it at a high level for a long time," Thornhill said during mandatory minicamp earlier this month. "Just being able to play next to him and DeShon is great. It's a great opportunity for me."
Thornhill sees his versatility as a strength. He said he feels like he can cover receivers, he can cover tight ends, he can blitz and he can play in the box. Regardless of his role, he can provide value in different ways on defense.
"I can literally do everything that they need me to do," Thornhill said. "Whatever they ask me to do is what I'm planning on doing. I'm not trying to put myself into a certain position or a certain role. I'm just willing to do whatever they ask of me."
In Thornhill's six-year career, he's registered 337 tackles, six tackles for loss, seven quarterback hits, 24 passes defended, eight interceptions, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and a sack over 87 games.
Still, he said he feels like he can always grow as a player. That's what he's solely focused on. The every day growth, rather than what's happened in the past and what's to come down the line.
"I'm just focused on the day by day," Thornhill said. "I'm just trying to get here and make a lot of plays. I'm willing to do whatever it takes to win."
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José Negron
4:22 pm - 06.29.2025DowntownThornhill willing to do 'whatever it takes to win'
ALYSA RUBIN / STEELERS
Juan Thornhill participates in mandatory minicamp June 10 at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.
After safety Juan Thornhill's contract was terminated by the Browns back in March, a fresh start was needed.
Thornhill won two Super Bowls during his four seasons with the Chiefs before starting in all 22 of the games he played during two rather injury-plagued seasons with the Browns. He missed six games with a calf injury in 2023 and then missed five more with the same injury last year. At times, he played through those injuries, too. But that's all in the past.
Now, after signing a one-year contract soon after his departure from the Browns, Thornhill is a Pittsburgh Steeler. And as a member of the black and gold, the former second-round pick will be expected to provide secondary depth behind the likes of Minkah Fitzpatrick and DeShon Elliott in his seventh season in the National Football League.
"Having a guy like Minkah, he's done it at a high level for a long time," Thornhill said during mandatory minicamp earlier this month. "Just being able to play next to him and DeShon is great. It's a great opportunity for me."
Thornhill sees his versatility as a strength. He said he feels like he can cover receivers, he can cover tight ends, he can blitz and he can play in the box. Regardless of his role, he can provide value in different ways on defense.
"I can literally do everything that they need me to do," Thornhill said. "Whatever they ask me to do is what I'm planning on doing. I'm not trying to put myself into a certain position or a certain role. I'm just willing to do whatever they ask of me."
In Thornhill's six-year career, he's registered 337 tackles, six tackles for loss, seven quarterback hits, 24 passes defended, eight interceptions, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and a sack over 87 games.
Still, he said he feels like he can always grow as a player. That's what he's solely focused on. The every day growth, rather than what's happened in the past and what's to come down the line.
"I'm just focused on the day by day," Thornhill said. "I'm just trying to get here and make a lot of plays. I'm willing to do whatever it takes to win."
Want to participate in our comments?
Want an ad-free experience?
Become a member, and enjoy premium benefits! Make your voice heard on the Steelers, Penguins and Pirates, and hear right back from tens of thousands of fellow Pittsburgh sports fans worldwide! Plus, access all our premium content, including Dejan Kovacevic columns, Friday Insider, daily Live Qs with the staff, more! And yeah, that's right, no ads at all!
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