4t CHIEFS SNATCH SUPER BOWL HERO FROM STEELERS’ TRASH: 2x Champion Returns to Kansas City in UNDER 24 HOURS After Shocking Release!
The Kansas City Chiefs have wasted no time bringing a familiar face back home. Less than 24 hours after being released by the Pittsburgh Steelers, veteran safety Juan Thornhill is officially returning to Kansas City — the place where his NFL journey began and where he lifted two Lombardi Trophies.
The move was confirmed late Tuesday night, with multiple league sources reporting that Chiefs General Manager Brett Veach moved quickly to secure the reunion once Thornhill cleared waivers.
“Once we saw Juan was available, it was an easy call,” a team source told NFL Network. “He knows the system, he knows the culture, and he’s always been a leader in that secondary.”
Thornhill, 28, was drafted by the Chiefs in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft and went on to start 58 games across four seasons under defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. A vital part of two Super Bowl-winning defenses, Thornhill recorded 8 interceptions, 29 pass breakups, and 263 total tackles during his first stint in Kansas City.
After leaving in 2023, he spent time with the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers, but struggled to find consistency. His sudden release on Monday opened the door for a swift and emotional return.
“It feels like coming home,” Thornhill said in a brief statement through his agent. “Kansas City has always been family. I’m ready to get back to work and help this team make another run.”
The Chiefs’ secondary has been solid through the first half of the 2025 season, led by Bryan Cook, Chamarri Conner, and Jaden Hicks, but Spagnuolo has long valued depth and experience in his three-safety rotations. Thornhill is expected to begin practicing later this week and could be active by Week 12 if all goes well.
“He’s a playmaker, and he knows what playoff football looks like,” Spagnuolo told reporters on Wednesday morning. “It’s good to have another guy in that room who’s been there and done it.”
For Thornhill, the comeback is more than just another roster move — it’s a full-circle moment. Six years after first walking into Arrowhead Stadium as a rookie, he’ll once again don the red and gold, chasing yet another championship with the franchise that helped shape his legacy.
