Ex-Browns DB Juan Thornhill focused on helping Steelers win, not sticking it to former team

Since he joined the Pittsburgh Steelers, Juan Thornhill hasn’t been shy about expressing his happiness for starting anew after an unfulfilling tenure with the Cleveland Browns.

But now that his first on-field meeting against his former team is on the horizon, Thornhill is opting to take the high road.

“I mean, I’m going to be honest,” the veteran safety said when asked about the Browns after Thursday’s practice. “I know a lot of people probably want me to talk trash about them. I’m not really going to talk trash about them. I don’t really care who we’re playing. I’ve said this multiple times: It’s a nameless opponent. If I’m being real, I just don’t care who will line up in front of me. I’m just ready to play.”

Former Browns safety Juan Thornhill says “I’m not going to fall into the trap” of bashing his former team as the Steelers prep to face their rivals Sunday pic.twitter.com/JGY8aXG7Zn

— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) October 9, 2025

Thornhill, who turns 30 later this month, signed a one-year, $3 million contract with the Steelers in March just days after he’d been released by Cleveland with a year remaining on has a contract. A two-time Super Bowl winner as a starter with the Kansas City Chiefs earlier in his career, Thornhill’s Browns tenure was pockmarked by injury and scorn from media and fans.

During spring workouts and training camp, Thornhill was open in discussing his issues with how he was portrayed in Cleveland, but with a Steelers home game against the Browns coming up at 1 p.m. Sunday, he downplayed any ill will for anyone in the organization.

Through four games with the Steelers, Thornhill has played 72% of the defensive snaps — the majority at free safety. With versatile defensive back Jalen Ramsey not expected to play Sunday because of a hamstring injury, Thornhill, as a result, perhaps will play a more significant role in the game against the team he played for the past two seasons.

Not that that will provide him any extra motivation, he says.

“I don’t need any motivation.; I can motivate myself,” Thornhill said. “I don’t care who we play. If you get to (trash) talking a little bit, I like to talk. I’m not the one that’s going to start it, but if they want to start talking, I’m down for that. I’m down for all that smoke. But it’s going to be fun. I can’t wait for it.”