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49ers Free Agent Target Signs With the Steelers

The 49ers will need to go back to the drawing board at the safety position after this free agent target signed with the Steelers.
Jose Sanchez|
Nov 21, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns safety Juan Thornhill (1) celebrates a missed field goal by the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first quarter at Huntington Bank Field Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images
Nov 21, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns safety Juan Thornhill (1) celebrates a missed field goal by the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first quarter at Huntington Bank Field Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images | Scott Galvin-Imagn Images

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San Francisco 49ers

49ers free agent target Juan Thornhill is signing a one-year deal with the Steelers, per Jordan Schultz.

The former Browns safety visited the 49ers last week, but nothing materialized. That means either the 49ers weren't sold on him or Thornhill didn't like the potential deal discussed.

Thornhill ends up with the Steelers, so it is back to the drawing board at the safety position for the 49ers. They desperately need help there.

Malik Mustapha is their only solid player there and he still has some developing to do. Ji'Ayir Brown was an extreme liability last season.

The 49ers could hope that Brown bounces back, but it's very risky. Adding another safety as a contingency and for competition is necessary.

The fact that the 49ers had Thornhill visit would indicate that. Losing out on Thornhill isn't a bummer at all. He was decent in 2024 but had a calf injury that placed him on Injured Reserve.

It's good the 49ers passed on him. They can find another safety similar to him without the injuries. Julian Blackmon is an option. The 49ers had him for a visit last offseason.

He could be a player that defensive coordinator Robert Saleh would like. Maybe Justin Simmons finally lands a visit after there was reported interest last year.

Whoever the 49ers consider, they need to sign another safety. The answer isn't with Jason Pinnock who is a special teams signing mainly.

They need help at the position badly, but you can say that about every defensive spot outside of cornerback for the 49ers.

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Jose Luis Sanchez III
JOSE SANCHEZ

Jose Luis Sanchez III has covered the San Francisco 49ers daily for FanNation since 2019. He started off as the lead publisher for FanNation's All49ers, then switched positions to become the Deputy Editor in 2020. Sanchez writes, edits, and produces videos daily for All49ers. He also co-hosts a show on YouTube with All49ers lead publisher Grant Cohn weekly. Prior to FanNation, Sanchez started his writing career back in 2016 for the school newspaper at Skyline college where he covered all sports team in the Bay Area. Following that from 2017 to 2019, he found a role as a contributor for FanSided's news desk along with their site's Just Blog Baby covering the Las Vegas Raiders and Golden Gate Sports every professional Bay Area sports team. Atop all of that, he was able to graduate with a Bachelors degree in Communication Studies at San Francisco State University in 2020. Sanchez is committed to ensuring he delivers transparent analysis and straightforward opinions that resonates with readers to get them thinking.

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