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Joe Thomas throws shade at Justin Gilbert in wake of release by Steelers

Monday has been a rough day for Justin Gilbert. After only one year with the Pittsburgh Steelers, the 2014 first-round pick was released. Joe Thomas, who was a teammate of Gilbert from 2014-2015 with the Cleveland Browns, didn’t seem surprised.

In fact, Thomas threw major shade at his former teammate.

It isn’t surprising to hear a member of the Browns make a comment like that. Following Gilbert’s rookie year, then Cleveland coach Mike Pettine acknowledged that Gilbert had maturity issues, but said “it’s more than that.” You can read the full comments here.

Perhaps that has led to Gilbert bouncing around a lot more than a No. 8 overall pick normally would in three seasons.

Statistically speaking, Gilbert’s rookie season was his best. He played in 14 games, recorded to date his only career interception (which was a pick-six) and defended eight passes. In 2015, he defended only one pass. Immediately prior to the 2016 season, Gilbert was dealt from Cleveland to Pittsburgh for a rather paltry 2018 sixth rounder.

Gilbert’s release from the Steelers is also not surprising. He played sparingly in 2016 and did little when on the field.

Gilbert seems destined to be a bust at this point. Not helping his cause is that is that 10 players taken after Gilbert in the first round alone have already made at least one Pro Bowl. If Gilbert is going to revive his career, he needs to act fast with his next team, assuming another opportunity comes his way.

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