This was supposed to be Shamarko Thomas’ year.
He was taken under wing during the 2014 offseason by Pittsburgh Steelers future Hall of Fame safety Troy Polamalu to help groom him for this opportunity. The Steelers coaxed Polamalu into retirement during this offseason with the expectation that Thomas would be the next in line. He was the next in line.
Until he wasn’t. And most of the way through his third season, it’s hard to say if he will ever get back to the front of the line with the Steelers, entering the final year of his contract.