The Steelers stand tall in the AFC North division, but fans can clearly see the struggles in their secondary. After allowing the Packers in their last matchup with 454 yards, it has raised many eyebrows over Mike Tomlin’s defense. Things just got more complicated as the team now faces a safety position dilemma. In a bold move to prove himself as a defensive mastermind, head coach Mike Tomlin is reportedly shaking things up in the secondary, and it looks like he might be ready to give up on his $3,000,000 weapon.

“Interesting that Mike Tomlin said in his weekly Q&A on the Steelers team site that Jalen Ramsey is exclusively free safety this week with the rash of injuries,” Post-Gazette Sports’ Brian Batko wrote on X. “Chuck Clark and Jabrill Peppers being out is one thing, but apparently they’ve seen enough of Juan Thornhill for now.” Even after an injury-depleted secondary, Tomlin appears to be moving on from Thornhill this season.

Juan Thornhill entered the 2025 season with something to prove, signing a one-year, $3 million deal with the Steelers in March. The contract, which includes a $1.83 million signing bonus and a $1.17 million base salary, was designed as a classic “prove-it” opportunity for the former Cleveland Brown, giving Thornhill a chance to reestablish his value after an uneven stint in Cleveland.

After starting the season with some promise, Thornhill has been kept quiet for the past couple of games. Through seven games, Thornhill has totaled 37 combined tackles (22 solo, 15 assisted), along with one pass defended and a fumble recovery, showcasing the same range and awareness that made him a key part of Kansas City’s secondary earlier in his career.

While the splash plays like interceptions or forced turnovers haven’t shown up yet, Thornhill’s consistency has. He’s logged at least four tackles in five of seven outings, including a season-high nine stops in the opener against the Jets and seven each versus Seattle and Cleveland. His instincts and communication have been critical in stabilizing a young secondary that’s still developing chemistry.

Looks like Tomlin is moving on from Thornhill, even though the team’s safety room has now taken another major hit with multiple injuries. Chuck Clark is out with an illness, and Jabrill Peppers is out with a quad injury. With the depth shrinking fast, coach Mike Tomlin had to shift other players to bridge these gaps in the secondary.

Mike Tomlin has a new role for Jalen Ramsey

With Kyle Dugger‘s arrival this week in a trade with the New England Patriots, fans were hoping the Steelers’ safety depth would finally improve, but Pittsburgh still has only two active safeties on the roster, including Thornhill. To immediately fill the safety role against a top-tier Colts offense, Mike Tomlin has moved Jalen Ramsey to safety exclusively.

“We moved Jalen Ramsey exclusively to safety this week, to offset,” Tomlin said. “Jalen has played outside corner, he’s played nickel corner, he’s played safety. Given the circumstances, we felt it was prudent to lock him down specifically at free safety, and so he’ll be a constant hub of communication to assist all of those potential candidates who I mentioned in processing and playing.”

Ramsey has really stepped up for the Steelers this season, proving he can thrive as a full safety. Fans have seen him bring stability and leadership to the defense, especially with the struggling secondary. Throughout seven games, Ramsey has racked up 30 tackles, 2 sacks, and even 1 interception, showing off his versatility in both run support and pass coverage. And now has more to prove.

Chuck Clark was a late addition to the injury report on Friday after missing practice. Peppers will be sidelined as well. With both out, all eyes are now on Ramsey to anchor the defense. For Thornhill? Well, it seems he has plenty to prove heading into Sunday’s matchup against the Indianapolis Colts.