Steelers Appear To Be Adding Veteran Safety After Strong Social Media Hint

The Pittsburgh Steelers have continued making changes following the formation of their initial 53-man roster, and another addition to the secondary now appears to be coming. Pittsburgh could be looking for more depth and special teams help, and one recently released veteran seems to have revealed where he is headed next.

Former Indianapolis Colts safety Juanyeh Thomas appears to be joining the Steelers in some capacity after posting black and gold heart emojis on X Monday. Thomas followed that post with another cryptic message saying, “The realest🖤…,” strongly suggesting Pittsburgh will be his next stop.

Thomas is joining Pittsburgh's practice squad, confirming what his social media activity appeared to tease earlier Monday. The move gives the Steelers another experienced safety to develop behind the active roster while also adding someone with an extensive background on special teams.

Thomas was released by Indianapolis during final roster cuts after signing with the Colts in March. He previously spent three seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, appearing in 36 games with four starts.

Thomas has spent much of his NFL career contributing on special teams while also providing depth in the secondary, which could make him a useful developmental option for Pittsburgh.

Thomas' path to Pittsburgh is also fitting considering he has already experienced exactly what the Steelers are asking him to do now. He entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent out of Georgia Tech in 2022 and spent his entire rookie season on Dallas' practice squad before eventually earning a permanent place on the Cowboys' active roster.

By 2023, Thomas had worked his way into a legitimate role. He appeared in all 16 regular-season games, made the first start of his career and recorded 19 tackles with four passes defended. He also made an immediate impact on special teams, blocking a field goal in Dallas' season opener that was returned for a touchdown. His ability to contribute without needing a major defensive role helped him stick around for three seasons.

Thomas continued filling that utility role in 2024, appearing in 13 games while also getting opportunities as a kickoff returner. He returned seven kicks for 187 yards and even took an onside kick back for a touchdown against Washington. That versatility is particularly useful for players fighting to move between the practice squad and active roster throughout a season.

His defensive workload increased considerably in 2025. Thomas appeared in seven games for Dallas and started three of them, recording 20 tackles while adding six more stops on special teams. That experience separates him from the typical developmental player Pittsburgh might stash on its practice squad.

The Steelers are not bringing in a player who still needs to prove he can function in an NFL game. Thomas has already appeared in 36 regular-season contests and has been asked to contribute in several different ways. Instead, Pittsburgh gets an experienced insurance option without immediately having to dedicate one of its active roster spots to him.

There could also be some familiarity working in Thomas' favor. Thomas spent his entire active NFL career in Dallas while Mike McCarthy was the Cowboys' head coach, meaning Pittsburgh's new head coach has already seen what Thomas can provide inside a locker room and on game day. That connection makes his arrival in Pittsburgh considerably less random than it might initially appear.

For a practice-squad addition, that prior knowledge can be valuable. McCarthy already understands Thomas' strengths, how he prepares and the different roles he can handle. Thomas should also have some familiarity with what McCarthy expects from players on the fringes of the active roster.

His special teams experience could eventually provide the clearest path to a game-day elevation. NFL teams routinely use their practice squads to keep experienced special teams contributors available when injuries strike, and Thomas has spent much of his professional career working in that area. If Pittsburgh needs help at safety or on one of its coverage units, it now has a player with meaningful NFL experience ready in the building.

The move also allows the Steelers to add depth without rushing into a more drastic change to the 53-man roster. Pittsburgh can evaluate Thomas during practice and allow him to learn the defensive system while keeping its current group intact. If circumstances change, the team has another option it can turn to quickly.

Steelers Continue Addressing Safety Depth

The Steelers have reason to explore additional help after placing DeShon Elliott on injured reserve with a designation to return.

That situation gives Thomas' addition some added relevance. DeShon Elliott will be eligible to return later in the season, but Pittsburgh has to prepare for the opening portion of the schedule without one of its expected contributors on the back end.

The Steelers still have veteran options in Jaquan Brisker and Darnell Savage, so Thomas does not need to arrive with the expectation of immediately playing significant defensive snaps. His job initially will be to provide another layer of insurance while showing the coaching staff he can contribute if called upon.

There is also little downside to keeping a player with Thomas' experience on the practice squad. Pittsburgh gets time to evaluate him inside its own system, and Thomas gets another opportunity to work his way from a practice squad onto an active roster just as he did at the beginning of his career in Dallas.

Thomas' black and gold social media posts ultimately meant exactly what Steelers fans suspected. His first stop in Pittsburgh will be the practice squad, but his NFL experience, special teams ability and familiarity with McCarthy give him a realistic opportunity to become more than just emergency depth as the season unfolds.