Pittsburgh Steelers safety Juan Thornhill savored Sunday’s win against his former team and took aim at Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel.
The Steelers imposed their will in the 23-9 win, led by a relentless defensive effort that smothered the Browns’ struggling offense. Thornhill and company kept Cleveland out of the end zone, sacking Dillon Gabriel six times and delivering more than a dozen additional quarterback hits.
Gabriel went 29-of-52 for 221 yards in the loss. Thornhill felt the third-round rookie started to get “flustered” during the loss.
“I did think they were gonna throw it a lot. A lot of checkdowns, a lot of quick throws,” Thornhill said. “Kudos to the Browns putting a rookie out there against a front like ours. He definitely stepped up, made some plays with his arm, but having a rookie coming in Pittsburgh against a defense like ours, that’s a tough battle right there. I think he got a little flustered in the pocket, if I’m being completely honest with you. With me being that post player a lot, just sitting back there, I was watching him. It’s like he was very antsy trying to get the ball out of his hand and we still was getting back there.”
Thornhill admitted that knocking off the Browns meant more.
“It felt amazing getting that win against your former team,” Thornhill said.
Juan Thornhill Trolls Browns on Social Media
Thornhill joined the Browns in 2023 on a three-year deal, with Cleveland banking on his championship experience from four seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs to help anchor the secondary.
But his stint in Cleveland never matched expectations. Injuries disrupted both of his seasons, undermining his consistency and limiting his impact. Over 22 appearances, Thornhill posted 103 tackles and four pass breakups but failed to record an interception. As his availability waned, so did his role, and by the close of the 2024 campaign, he had lost his starting job.
The Browns released Thornhill during the offseason. His tenure had become polarizing among fans. His outspoken nature on social media often drew attention, and his effort was questioned after a widely circulated clip showed him jogging while chasing Marquez Valdes-Scantling on a long touchdown against the Saints.
Thornhill appeared to reference that moment in a celebratory social media post following Sunday’s win over his former team.
“Jogged my (expletive) out of Acrisure with a W,” Thornhill said.
Browns Searching for Answers After 1-5 Start
The Browns have stumbled to a 1-5 start with little to build on. Their playoff hopes are already fading, and the team needs a major turnaround across all phases of the game.
“There’s a long list of things we gotta do better,” Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said.
For Browns star Myles Garrett, the story week after week is getting old.
“It’s frustrating,” Garrett said after the loss. “To lose the same way every time is frustrating as hell.”
The Browns are running out of time to turn things around. Cleveland has matchups with the Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots on their schedule before a Week 9 bye.
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