Juanyeh Thomas, the former Cowboys safety who once absolutely electrified special teams units, just landed on the Pittsburgh Steelers practice squad. It’s a move that brings him back under the wing of Mike McCarthy, the very coach who first snagged him as an undrafted free agent in 2022. This reunion comes after Thomas was cut by the Indianapolis Colts on NFL cutdown day, and honestly, if you know his history, this pickup is a no-brainer for a coach looking for a spark.
McCarthy’s Loyalty Runs Deep for a Special Teams Sparkplug
Thomas spent four seasons with the Cowboys, appearing in 36 games and making one start, racking up 62 combined tackles. But let’s be real, his real legend was forged on special teams. This guy wasn’t just a valuable backup safety; he was a full-blown game-wrecker when it came to those pivotal moments in the kicking game. We’re talking about a player who blocked two kicks in his career,one field goal, one extra point,and even returned an onsides kick for a score. That’s not just “making a name for yourself”; that’s defining your name in big, bold, clutch letters. You know McCarthy remembers those plays. Coaches stick by the guys who deliver in those do-or-die situations, and Thomas definitely delivered.
The Plays That Defined Juanyeh Thomas’s Clutch Factor
Remember the 2023 Cowboys’ season opener against the New York Giants? Thomas burst through the line, blocked a field goal attempt, and that kick-six went back for a touchdown in a ridiculous 40-0 blowout. Talk about setting the tone for a season! Then last season, against the Green Bay Packers, he pulled it off again, blocking an extra point attempt that the Cowboys returned for two points. That play shifted momentum when the team was getting absolutely shelled early on, helping them salvage a tie instead of a crushing loss. But the absolute wildest moment? The 2024 showdown with the Washington Commanders. Dallas needed a miracle to secure a wild fourth-quarter win, and Thomas delivered, fielding an onsides kick and taking it 43 yards to the house for a game-sealing touchdown. That’s pure, unadulterated chaos in the best way possible. It’s the kind of play that makes you jump off your couch! His run with the Cowboys ended last season after he appeared in seven games before chronic migraines put him on IR in November, leading to the team moving on.
A Familiar Face Joins McCarthy’s Steel City Crew
After his release from the Colts, it makes total sense Thomas found his way back to McCarthy. This isn’t the first time the coach has brought in a familiar face to Pittsburgh either; Thomas is the third former Cowboys player and McCarthy disciple to join the Steelers since he took the head coaching job, linking up with running back Rico Dowdle and offensive lineman Brock Hoffman. It shows that McCarthy truly believes in the guys he’s worked with. For the Steelers, bringing in Thomas is a low-risk, high-reward move for their special teams unit. He’s proven he can make those truly impactful, game-altering plays. With the season gearing up, expect Thomas to be pushing hard for a spot to showcase that special teams magic again, making every snap he gets in practice absolutely vital.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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