Thompson, an undrafted free agent of the 2022 draft class, signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers during 2023 training camp practices, though he didn’t make the final roster come final cut day. The Steelers elected to sign him to the practice squad and eventually promoted to the active roster in November after an injury to All-Pro Minkah Fitzpatrick.
What once appeared to be a longshot to make the roster ended up starting multiple games for the Steelers down the stretch and had a critical interception in a late-season win over the Cincinnati Bengals.
Unfortunately for the young safety, he suffered a neck injury during the Steelers’ loss on December 16th to the Indianapolis Colts. He missed their last three games of the regular season and was put on injured reserve ahead of their playoff matchup against the Buffalo Bills.
It’s difficult to say if injuries played a factor in this decision, but the Steelers appeared to have found something in the young defensive back. They’d also brought in plenty of competition for a roster spot this offseason, including the drafting of dynamic defensive back Ryan Watts out of Texas in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
The Steelers also signed veteran DeShon Elliott to a two-year, $6 million contract at the start of free agency and re-signing S/ST Miles Killebrew to join Damontae Kazee in the ranks, in the final year of his contract with the team. Among others competing for a spot on the final 53-man roster are Nate Meadors, Jalen Elliott and hybrid DB Grayland Arnold.
With the release of Thompson and Mims, the Steelers have now cleared two spots on the 90-man roster.
