ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KCTV) - One of the early bright spots in the Kansas City Chiefs offense during the first month and change of the 2025 season was wide receiver Tyquan Thornton.
Selected by the New England Patriots in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft with a pick Kansas City traded to the Patriots, Thornton had finally latched onto a team that was utilizing his blazing speed as a deep threat.
Thornton caught a touchdown in three of Kansas City’s first four games, and had season highs in yards and receptions in a game during the first five weeks of the season, all before Rashee Rice returned from suspension.
After the suspension, Thornton’s role in the 2025 Chiefs offense fell off. The Baylor product didn’t play in more than half of the snaps in any game from Week 6 through Week 15, when he suffered a concussion in a loss to the Los Angeles Chargers that ended Kansas City’s playoff streak.
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So when Thornton entered free agency in the offseason, many wondered if his brief September connection with Patrick Mahomes was over.
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On Thursday, Thornton detailed what brought him back to Kansas City on a two-year deal worth $11 million.
“Just the history of the organization, man,” Thornton said of his choice to re-sign. “They play a lot of clean football here, play at the highest level, and obviously Patrick Mahomes and working with Andy Reid and the coaching staff is one of the best coaching staffs in the league, so why not?”
Thornton’s return brings him back to Kansas City for a third season (he was part of the practice squad during the conclusion of the 2024 season). It also makes him one of the veterans in the wide receiver room, despite the fact he’ll only turn 26 in September.
“Those guys paved the way,” Thornton said of the recently departed Juju Smith-Schuster and Hollywood Brown, each of whom signed free agent deals in the NFC East this offseason. “I think I’m the oldest guy, not age wise, but as far as playing in the league.”
Thornton’s feeling checks out. He’s entering his fifth season in the league, despite Rashee Rice being nearly five months his senior as Rice enters his fourth year in the NFL.
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“I just want to take on that leadership role and just lead the young guys in the right way,” Thornton said.
His return to Kansas City brings him back to a wide receiver room that is also under new leadership. But that leadership isn’t exactly new to Thornton.
“Through the draft process I got to know (new wide receivers coach Chad O’Shea),” Thornton said, “and he coached with the New England Patriots in the past, so we see the same way. It’s great to have him in the room. He’s a great coach. Hands on, and I see our room getting better each and every day.”
Now that he’s reunited with Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, Thornton was asked about his assessment of the quarterback in his recovery from a torn ACL.
“Pat is Pat,” Thornton said.
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