Steelers' replacement for Minkah Fitzpatrick predicted as biggest bust in 2025
The post-Minkah Fitzpatrick era has received its first red flag — as Bleacher Report believes his potential replacement in the Steelers' secondary could be in for a rough 2025.
Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox recently predicted the 2025 biggest busts for all 32 NFL teams — and for the Pittsburgh Steelers, he chose FS Juan Thornhill — the next man up after Fitzpatrick was traded to the Miami Dolphins:
Advertisement
"The top candidate to take over Fitzpatrick's role will be free-agent addition Juan Thornhill. He's unlikely, however, to play up to Fitzpatrick's Pro Bowl level," Knox wrote. "The 29-year-old has struggled to stay healthy in recent years and has allowed an opposing passer rating above 100.0 in five straight seasons.
Thornhill was drafted by the Chiefs with the 63rd overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, where he would spend the next four years of his career — earning two Super Bowls as Kansas City's starting safety. He signed with the Browns in 2023, but his tenure with Cleveland was a far cry from the success he found with the Chiefs. Over the past two seasons, Thornhill has missed 12 games due to injury — and even when healthy, he struggled in pass defense, leading to his eventual release this offseason.
It's not all bad predictions for Thornhill, who signed with the Steelers in March, as one former DB turned analyst argued his leadership and championship-caliber pedigree will work wonders for Pittsburgh in 2025.
Steelers fans will get their first glimpse at Thornhill's involvement in the retooled secondary when training camp action kicks off on July 24.
Advertisement
For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers' Minkah Fitzpatrick replacement named biggest bust candidate
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
24 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Shea Langeliers' two-run home run (19)
Shea Langeliers belts a two-run home run to left field, extending the A's lead to 3-0 in the 1st inning
Yahoo
24 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Carlos Cortes' RBI single
Carlos Cortes drives a single to right field, scoring Tyler Soderstrom to extend the A's lead to 4-0 in the 1st
Yahoo
24 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Social media reacts to Nets signing Ricky Council IV to one-year deal
The Brooklyn Nets have had one of the more interesting offseasons with the way that they approached the 2025 NBA Draft and free-agency as a whole. Brooklyn not only used five first-round picks in the Draft, but they also traded forward Cam Johnson to the Denver Nuggets in exchange for forward Michael Porter Jr. and a 2032 first-round pick. On Friday, the Nets continued making tweaks to the roster by signing former Philadelphia 76ers forward Ricky Council IV to a one-year contract, per ESPN's Shams Charania. Council, 23, is coming off a 2024-25 season with the 76ers in which he averaged 7.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game while shooting 38.2% from the field and 25.8% from three-point land. With Council being added to the roster, most likely to compete for a spot in training camp, the Nets will be at 19 players on the team, including forward Ziaire Williams and center Day'Ron Sharpe, whose re-signings are still pending, per Spotrac. As of this writing, Brooklyn has not re-signed guard Cam Thomas, meaning that the roster could be at 20 players soon enough. Either way, here is how social media reacted to the Nets signing Council on Friday: What Ricky Council IV Brings To The Nets Ricky Council IV Highlights Day'Ron Sharpe Welcomes Ricky Council IV To The Team Ricky Council IV Highlights Ricky Council IV Reaction Ricky Council IV Reaction Ricky Council IV Reaction Ricky Council IV Reaction Ricky Council IV Reaction Ricky Council IV Reaction This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: Social media reacts to Nets signing Ricky Council IV to one-year deal
