Juan Thornhill takes No. 22 with 22 days until the Steelers meet the Jets at MetLife, stepping into a slot vacated by Minkah Fitzpatrick’s trade. Thornhill arrives with a two-time-Super Bowl pedigree from Kansas City and Cleveland, expected to anchor Pittsburgh’s back end and bring ball skills to a revamped safety corps.

Historically, No. 22 in Pittsburgh has belonged to Najee Harris (2021–2024), Steven Nelson (2019–2020), Stevan Ridley (2018), and William Gay (2007–2017). Gay stands as the franchise’s best 22, a lockdown presence who turned interceptions into touchdowns and helped power a Super Bowl XLIII-winning defense. Harris earns an honorable mention for four straight 1,000-yard rushing seasons and a 2021 Pro Bowl nod, underscoring the jersey’s storied weight.

Minkah Fitzpatrick’s switch to the Dolphins opened the door for Thornhill’s Steelers’ tenure, and the countdown to kickoff now centers on how quickly the back end clicks with Thornhill’s versatility. The Jets pose an early test, but the No. 22 lineage suggests a Jersey with a legacy of playmaking and resilience—traits Thornhill will be counted on to revive in a Pittsburgh defense in transition.