The Cleveland Browns have decided to part ways with their starting safety, Juan Thornhill, according to a league insider. This decision comes even though Thornhill still has a remaining year on the contract he inked during the 2023 offseason, which was initially supposed to last three years.
By designating Thornhill as a post-June 1 cut, the Browns will free up $3.4 million in cap space. Interestingly, his base salary of $2.5 million for the year 2025 was not guaranteed, easing the financial impact of this move.
Thornhill joined Cleveland with a deal worth $21 million over three years but found it challenging to maintain full fitness. His time on the field was limited, seeing him participate in just 11 games each season over the last two years.
The last season saw Thornhill’s playing time take a further hit as he shared responsibilities with fellow safety Ronnie Hickman, experiencing a drop to a personal low by being involved in only 57% of the defensive plays.
During his stint with the Browns, Thornhill amassed 103 tackles along with four passes defensed over two seasons. Prior to joining Cleveland, Thornhill was a second-round draft pick by the Chiefs in 2019. His tenure in Kansas City was marked by substantial success, including two Super Bowl triumphs before his move to the Browns.
This development was first brought to light by the NFL Network, who reported the news of the Browns releasing Thornhill.
