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Heitritter: Juan Thornhill Is Pittsburgh's Biggest Free Agent Wildcard

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Heitritter: Juan Thornhill Is Pittsburgh's Biggest Free Agent Wildcard


The Pittsburgh Steelers signed S Juan Thornhill back in March to replace S Damontae Kazee, filling the vital third safety role behind Minkah Fitzpatrick and DeShon Elliott. Thornhill signed with the team on a one-year deal worth $3 million, representing a prove-it deal scenario for the veteran defensive back.

When you look back on Thornhill’s career to date, his signing makes him arguably the team’s biggest free agent wild card heading into the 2025 season. Thornhill comes to Pittsburgh after a two-year stint with the Cleveland Browns that was lackluster, at best. He played and started 11 games both in 2023 and 2024, missing time due to calf injuries that have been an issue dating back to his final season with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2022.

Thornhill signed a three-year deal worth $21 million with Cleveland ahead of the 2023 season, but only got to see two years of that contact as his play didn’t warrant the money for which he signed. Thornhill managed to rack up 104 total tackles (72 solo), one tackle for loss, four pass deflections and no interceptions in his two seasons with the Browns, failing to secure a turnover in either season while having his effort questioned at times. That included one play against the New Orleans Saints where he noticeably pulled up in pursuit of the ball carrier and allowed a touchdown.

However, when you look at Thornhill’s tenure in Kansas City, you see a safety who was more than deserving of the contract that he received from Cleveland. Thornhill started 52 of 65 games played during his time with the Chiefs in the regular season, posting 234 total tackles (161 solo) five tackles for loss, a sack, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, 20 pass deflections and eight interceptions (one returned for a touchdown).

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He won two Super Bowls with Kansas City, providing an athletic defender on the back end of the defense who showed impressive pursuit to the football and the range to impact passes as a center field safety.

Head coach Mike Tomlin spoke highly of Thornhill after signing him, stating the need for three quality safeties on the field to better match up with multiple tight end sets and needing guys that can be scheme/position versatile. Thornhill fits the bill, having played 3,079 snaps at free safety, 802 in the box and 639 in the slot across 4,657 total NFL snaps. He moved around more during his time in Kansas City, but Cleveland primarily kept him at his natural free safety spot.

Tomlin also mentioned the signing of Thornhill as the reason why the Steelers didn’t select a safety in the 2025 NFL Draft, stating that they felt comfortable with what he brought to the table as their No. 3 safety behind Fitzpatrick and Elliott. Pittsburgh did sign Iowa safety Sebastian Castro as a UDFA at the conclusion of the draft. He also brings some versatility to the table, but Thornhill is clearly the favorite to see the most time behind the starters and be that third safety Pittsburgh deploys in their sub packages.

It’s a tale of two stories for Juan Thornhill. On one hand, he looked like a talented, young safety during his time with the Chiefs, having his play earn him a sizeable contract in free agency. On the other hand, injuries and suspect play during his time with the Browns led to an early termination of his contract, allowing Pittsburgh to sign him on the cheap this offseason.

Thornhill has plenty to prove this season with the Steelers, as he looks to show his last two years in Cleveland were a fluke and more hampered due to injuries. He looks to return to the productive player he was during his time in Kansas City. He’ll be a name to watch throughout training camp and the preseason as his play can either provide a huge boost to Pittsburgh’s secondary or keep it relatively the same to where it was a season ago.

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Written off in Pittsburgh: 5 former Steelers looking for redemption in UFL

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Written off in Pittsburgh: 5 former Steelers looking for redemption in UFL


Spring football may not carry the same weight as the NFL, but it still offers an opportunity for everyone involved. Fans can satisfy the urge to watch the game they love, while players in the United Football League work to earn another shot at the NFL. No one should expect top-tier play from these teams, but the UFL can still deliver compelling storylines.

Several recognizable names will take the field this spring, including personnel with ties to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

One reason or another, things didn’t work out between the Steelers and these members of the UFL, and that’s why they are attempting a comeback. Pittsburgh either cut them or let them go, and few have heard much from these former members of the Steelers since. The United Football League will see them be thrust back into the spotlight in hopes of landing a shot in an NFL training camp.

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Fans will witness several Ex-Pittsburgh Steelers making a comeback in the UFL

Benny Snell Jr., RB, Louisville Kings

The name Benny Snell Jr. has disappeared from football conversations in Pittsburgh since he left the team in 2022. A fourth‑round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, Snell never fully found his footing with the Steelers. He was known as a tough, physical runner who could contribute on special teams, but his role in the NFL rarely extended beyond that.

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Snell struggled to make a lasting impact in Pittsburgh, and the UFL now offers him a chance to rebuild his reputation and revive his professional prospects.

Todd Haley, OC, Columbus Aviators

It has been nearly a decade since Todd Haley left the Steelers after his stint as offensive coordinator. His last NFL role came in 2018 with the Browns, and since then, his coaching career has taken a winding path that has included high school football and spring league opportunities. Haley’s role with the Aviators could provide him with a chance to re-enter the NFL coaching conversation.

Anthony McFarland Jr., RB, Birmingham Stallions

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Many had high expectations for Anthony McFarland Jr. when the Steelers selected him in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. His speed stood out immediately, but he struggled to develop into a complete running back. McFarland now enters his second season in the UFL after a solid stretch of production in 2025. He will need to take the next step and show more consistency this spring.

Tre Norwood, S, Birmingham Stallions

Another United Football League veteran with ties to Pittsburgh is Tre Norwood.

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A seventh-round pick by the Steelers in the 2021 NFL Draft, Norwood used his positional flexibility to carve out a role early in his career. He now enters his second season with the Stallions after posting modest production last year. If the versatile defensive back hopes to earn another opportunity in the NFL, he will need to make a stronger impact in 2026, particularly by creating turnovers.

Roc Taylor, WR, Columbus Aviators

Fans were hopeful for Roc Taylor after he signed with the Steelers last year as an undrafted free agent. The wide receiver group on the roster lacked depth at the time, but Taylor was unable to make it through training camp. Despite that setback, his talent remains evident, and the UFL may represent his best path forward. Taylor has a valuable opportunity in front of him to take advantage of.



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Get PFL Pittsburgh results for the Eblen vs. Battle event Saturday night.

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Get PFL Pittsburgh results for the Eblen vs. Battle event Saturday night.


MMA Fighting has PFL Pittsburgh results for the Eblen vs. Battle fight card and more from UPMC Events Center in Pittsburgh on Saturday night.

In the main event, former Bellator middleweight champion Johnny Eblen tries to earn another title shot with a win over Bryan Battle, who makes his PFL debut. Eblen (16-1) suffered his first career loss against Costello van Steenis in a PFL title bout in his most recent outing.

Dalton Rosta and Impa Kasanganay clash in a middleweight contest in the co-main event.

Check out PFL Pittsburgh results below.

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Main Card (ESPN2 at 10 p.m. ET)

Johnny Eblen vs. Bryan Battle

Dalton Rosta vs. Impa Kasanganay

Ariane Lipski da Silva vs. Sumiko Inaba

Alexei Pergande vs. Julio Arce

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Lazaro Dayron vs. Jacob Thrall

Prelims (ESPN+ at 7 p.m. ET)

Allan Begosso vs. Jack Cartwright

Natan Schulte vs. Jakub Kaszuba

Robert Watley vs. Dakota Bush

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Ernesto Rodriguez vs. Masayuki Kikuiri

Tatiana Postarnakova vs. Elora Dana

Josh Fremd vs. Jarrah Al Salawi

Ethan Goss vs. Fred Dupras



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Pittsburgh has rainiest March in nearly 60 years as flooding causes issues across area

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Pittsburgh has rainiest March in nearly 60 years as flooding causes issues across area


Several areas across western Pennsylvania were hit by flooding as overnight rainfall pushed Pittsburgh past a nearly 60-year-old record.

Pittsburgh has recorded 6.18 inches of rain in March, breaking the record of 6.10 inches, which was set in 1967. The rain caused issues in several communities on Friday, including some in Washington and Westmoreland counties. 

Major road flooded in Washington County 

Communities across Washington County spent Friday cleaning up after flooding from Thursday night’s storms. 

Roads were closed, and ballfields were wrecked because of the rain. Ponds that aren’t supposed to be there could be found all over the county.

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“As long as it rains and the creek is flooded, then the road is flooded,” Ruth Mahoney, the owner of The Glass Place in Cecil Township, said.

Georgetown Road in Cecil Township turned into a lake at the bottom of a hill and underpass. Dispatchers said the driver of a car stuck in the water didn’t have to be rescued or taken to the hospital. The flooding ties up the area as the road connects Interstate 79 to Route 19.

“It’s a main artery,” Mahoney said. “Tons of cars come down here every day.”

North Strabane Township saw more of the same. The Lindenwood Golf Club had some new water hazards on the course on Friday. As the water receded into the Linden Creek, a mess was left behind. 

It was the same story in Houston.

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“When I looked out the window, I was like, ‘woah.’ It’s just rising fast,” said Rogelio Esteris. “My daughter was here playing baseball yesterday because she’s on the softball team and now the field is ruined.”

South Strabane Township had a landslide on Locust Road as well. Mother Nature didn’t take it easy on Washington County. Mahoney said it’s affecting her business. 

“When people call, they want to know how to get here,” she said. “You have to tell them, you can’t come because it’s closed today or there’s a backroad, but they don’t understand how to come on the backroad.”

Mahoney said the water should take about a day to recede. Officers told KDKA the car would have to wait to be towed until the water goes down.

Loyalhanna Creek rises, flooding yards 

As dawn broke on Friday morning and the rain from the previous night began to cease, some residents of Westmoreland County who live close to the Loyalhanna Creek saw flooding around their homes and along their local roads. 

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Paul Faust, who lives in the Darlington area of Ligonier Township, has a small tributary to the Loyalhanna Creek in his backyard, but on Friday, that run was acting less like a stream and more like a moat.

“I was up probably about 5 a.m., and it was high,” Faust said. “But it wasn’t over the bank like this and then the next following two hours it started going up. But that is always how it is after it rains.”

Faust says that he and his wife have a system for when their area floods, including tying down outdoor furniture and moving their cars to the top of their driveway.

Many people that KDKA spoke with in Ligonier Township on Friday who live in low-lying areas said they are used to this type of thing and while this flash flood was unexpected, it was not out of the ordinary.

Some water had already begun to recede by Friday afternoon, but Ligonier Valley Police Chief Michael Matrunics still wanted to urge caution, especially for people driving on side roads that may still be flooded around the township.

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“It might not look it, but it could be deeper than you expect,” Matrunics said. “And keep in mind, if you go past signs that are posted here, you could be cited for that. Also, if emergency services have to come out and rescue you or tow companies, you’re responsible for the cost. And your safety. Let’s put that at number one. So don’t drive through standing water on these bad weather dates.”



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