Steelers' Juan Thornhill Sends Warning Shots To Browns After Damontae Kazee's Arrival

The Pittsburgh Steelers made the decision to improve their safety depth by bringing in former two-time Super Bowl champion Juan Thornhill. He joins the Steelers after spending the 2023 and 2024 seasons with the Cleveland Browns. Before his time in Cleveland, Thornhill spent four years with the Kansas City Chiefs, where he played a key role in helping them secure two Super Bowl titles.

Shortly after news broke early Monday morning that ex-Steelers safety Damontae Kazee would be signing with the Browns, Thornhill took to social media to share a cryptic post. While he didn’t directly mention Kazee or the Browns by name, the timing of the message sparked plenty of speculation among Steelers fans. Many believe Thornhill’s post was a subtle jab at the Browns’ decision to pay Kazee instead of keeping him.

The post, which quickly made the rounds online, added fuel to the growing rivalry between the Steelers and Browns. Thornhill now has extra motivation heading into the 2025 season, and Pittsburgh fans are already circling the matchups against Cleveland. With Kazee in orange and brown and Thornhill now wearing black and gold, the storylines are only just beginning.

The news of the Browns signing Kazee broke at approximately 10:42 a.m.—just ten minutes later, at 10:52 a.m., Thornhill posted a cryptic message on social media. The timing wasn’t lost on Steelers fans or NFL observers, who quickly connected the dots. Many believe the post was Thornhill’s way of responding to the Browns' decision to bring in Kazee, a move that may have hit a nerve with the former Cleveland safety.

From Thornhill’s perspective, it’s easy to see why the situation might sting. He was already on the Browns’ roster, had started games for them, and expected to be valued accordingly. But instead of offering him a new deal, Cleveland let him walk—only to turn around and sign Kazee, a player Pittsburgh had just parted ways with. That kind of decision can feel like a slap in the face, especially for a player with Thornhill’s resume and championship experience.

Now with the Steelers, Thornhill seems intent on proving the Browns made the wrong choice. His social media message hinted that he’s taking this personally, and he’ll have two chances during the 2025 season to make Cleveland regret letting him go. With this added chip on his shoulder, Thornhill’s return to the AFC North rivalry just got a lot more interesting.

Steelers' Juan Thornhill Hungry To Dominate In 2025

Thornhill is a quietly impactful player that the Steelers have added to their roster, bringing both experience and championship pedigree with him. As a strong safety, he’s logged significant playing time, including multiple starting roles during his six seasons in the NFL, most notably with the Chiefs. Over his career, Thornhill has earned respect for his ability to contribute both in the secondary and on special teams, making him a reliable veteran presence.

In 2024, Pro Football Focus gave him a grade of 65.5, ranking him 71st out of 171 strong safeties, a solid but not exceptional standing. However, his value goes beyond the numbers—his Super Bowl experience and his leadership on the field set him apart. After spending the last two seasons with the Browns, Thornhill now enters his seventh year with a renewed sense of purpose.

With the Steelers, Thornhill is poised to prove that the Browns made a significant mistake by letting him go. He’s ready to show that, despite Cleveland’s decision not to re-sign him, he still has plenty left in the tank. As he enters a pivotal season in Pittsburgh, Thornhill will be looking to prove that he’s more than capable of making an impact, and the Browns’ loss is certainly the Steelers’ gain.

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