With training camp continuing, preseason play will sort out all 32 NFL teams’ roster crunches. The Kansas City Chiefs, despite having several spots seemingly set in stone, are no different. There’s room for movement on the fringes.
One player who’s emerged as a camp darling is wide receiver Tyquan Thornton. The former second-round pick is looking to latch on with the reigning AFC champions this summer. If he does so, the fall could see him resurrect his career that’s gotten off to a rough start.
Tyquan Thornton on Why He Chose to Sign With Chiefs
It’s been a long time coming for Thornton, who chose the Chiefs in November of 2024. Things with the New England Patriots simply weren’t panning out, leading to him getting waived partway through last season. Thornton paid his dues on the practice squad for weeks and subsequently returned to Kansas City on a reserve/futures deal back in February.
At camp, Thornton is trying to prove he made the right decision. Speaking to the media following an August 2 training camp practice, he explained why the Chiefs appealed to him.
“I would say the offensive scheme,” Thornton said. “Coming out here and seeing how they play. A lot of guys, a great room, a great quarterback and playing with Andy Reid, for sure.”
Citing Reid’s “precise detail” at practice, Thornton views the NFL’s most successful franchise of the last decade as a first-class organization. The Chiefs aren’t your run-of-the-mill team.
“Just seeing a different type of culture here,” Thornton said. “Seeing how they go out there and play fast, be precise and going out there and just making plays.”
The culture comment is a frequent one. Reid, known as a player’s coach, oftentimes takes on reclamation projects. He’ll find a role for just about anyone. For Thornton, he’s hoping that involves something on offense. In three NFL seasons, he has 39 receptions for 385 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Unfortunately for the former Baylor standout, most of that production came in his debut campaign.
Thornton needed a fresh start. Kansas City is giving him just that.
Chemistry With Patrick Mahomes Could Decide Thornton’s Roster Candidacy
Several factors could determine whether Thornton makes the Chiefs’ eventual 53-man roster. The club’s first unofficial depth chart isn’t very telling in that matter. It doesn’t help that he struggled to establish consistency earlier in the offseason program. The highs with Thornton are high, but there are also some lows that make one question his legitimacy as a viable receiving option.
One thing could prove to be the ultimate deciding factor: Thornton’s chemistry with quarterback Patrick Mahomes. While the two-time NFL MVP is far from a player-general manager, the Chiefs do value his input. If Thornton makes plays, Mahomes will make sure the team’s decision-makers know about it.
Thornton is impressed by Mahomes. He believes the all-world field general’s ability to extend plays stands out the most. The rapport between the two remains a work in progress, but Mahomes makes Thornton’s job easier to execute.
“Just going out there and just doing my job,” Thornton said. “He’s going to do his job. I go out there and run fast, and he’s going to put it where it’s supposed to be. I’ve just got to make a play.”
As things currently stand, Kansas City appears to have many wide receiver spots set in stone. Five players – Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, Marquise “Hollywood Brown, JuJu Smith-Schuster and rookie Jalen Royals – seem to be locks. With that said, a potential (and expected) suspension for Rice could impact the Chiefs’ math. If he doesn’t count towards the total to start the year, perhaps the team opts for seven receivers instead of six. By extension, the list really stretches to eight candidates.
Thornton isn’t far off from players like Nikko Remigio, Skyy Moore and Elijhah Badger. Over the next few weeks, it’s on him to separate from the pack.
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