Mike Tomlin’s New Signing Becomes the Butt of Joke for Both Steelers & Browns Fans After ‘Corny’ Announcement Video

The NFL world lives on rivalries, and few are as fiery as the one between the Cleveland Browns and the Pittsburgh Steelers. These two AFC North teams have a long, often tumultuous history, filled with unforgettable games, brutal on-field fights, and a deep-seated hatred between their fan bases. Whether it’s a playoff loss, a game-winning interception, or a fiery fight between players, the Browns-Steelers rivalry is a tale that continues to write new chapters. Now, a former Browns player’s sensational declaration has rekindled the rivalry all over again.

Juan Thornhill, previously of the Browns, officially became a member of the Steelers in a way that immediately moved fans. In a video designed to represent his new beginning, he discarded his Browns cap and put on the famous black and gold of Pittsburgh. Though the gesture was meant to announce his allegiance to his new team, it instead became a lightning rod for responses—provoking anger from Browns fans and a combination of amusement, skepticism, and guarded optimism from Steelers fans.

New Steelers S Juan Thornhill making the switch from Browns to Steelers on IG, via comedic_cody #Steelers #NFL pic.twitter.com/b91BBamWjg

— Steelers Depot 7⃣ (@Steelersdepot) March 17, 2025

The implication is that Thornhill, who now plays in Pittsburgh, would struggle to cover elite-level talent such as Hunter. Although Hunter remains in college, the statement overstates the perceived difference in ability, making fun of Thornhill’s defensive abilities and implying he will not be able to cover elite-level competition in the NFL. The doubt was prevalent, as most Browns fans perceived the video as unnecessary drama instead of a mere team change.

For Thornhill, the future won’t be smooth. He’ll have to win over Pittsburgh Steelers fans as well as get the better of his detractors in Cleveland through more than mere symbolic gestures of hat-tossing; rather, through repetitive, high-order performance on the field.

Fans not sure of Juan Thornhill’s move to Pittsburgh

While͏͏ the͏͏ move͏͏ was͏͏ dramatic͏͏ and͏͏ symbolic,͏͏ it͏͏ wasn’t͏͏ received͏͏ quite͏͏ as͏͏ warmly͏͏ as͏͏ Thornhill might͏͏ have͏͏ hoped.͏͏ Browns fans were quick to express their discontent on social media, with many deeming the move “corny” and unnecessary. One Twitter respondent captured the consensus view, writing bluntly, “This guy already corny.”

Others fumed on Instagram, with some declaring that they would be unfollowing Thornhill. One Cleveland fan even sarcastically thanked the Steelers for removing him from their books. “As͏͏ a͏͏ Browns͏͏ fan,͏͏ thank͏͏ you,͏͏ Steelers,͏͏ for͏͏ taking͏͏ this͏͏ man͏͏ off͏͏ our͏͏ hands.͏͏ All͏͏ glory͏͏ to͏͏ go”. The sarcasm was evident.

Some fans even questioned whether Thornhill could succeed in Pittsburgh, with one boldly suggesting, “Travis Hunter about to cook this man.” The remark referred to Travis Hunter, the top-ranked two-way player out of Colorado, touted for his otherworldly abilities as a wide receiver and cornerback.

The Steelers-Browns rivalry has been fueled by years of ill will and fiery conflicts. Since 1950, their games have created legendary moments and unforgettable controversies. Whether this latest incident will be remembered as a defining moment in the rivalry or merely another footnote is to be determined, but one thing is for sure: NFL fans will be keeping a close eye on Thornhill’s career in Pittsburgh.

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