Latest news with #TyquanThornton
Forbes
15 hours ago
- Sport
- Forbes
Chiefs Target Tyquan Thornton, A Former Patriots Second Rounder, Early In Preseason Loss
On the very first pass in Week One of the preseason, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes targeted wide receiver Tyquan Thornton, and the fourth-year receiver drew a key pass interference penalty against rookie second-round pick Will Johnson of the Arizona Cardinals. Then, on the Chiefs' second drive of the Cardinals' 20-17 victory — and Kansas City's sixth offensive play — Thornton gained 15 yards against Budda Baker, a seven-time Pro Bowler. 'Thornton is doing a nice job,' Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said. Indeed, Thornton is an intriguing player. Though he was mostly a bust with the New England Patriots — with just 39 receptions during his three years in the NFL — he was a second-round pick in 2022 and has impressed during organized team activities and training camp with the Chiefs this year. A few days after the Patriots waived him, the Chiefs signed Thornton to their practice squad on Nov. 19, 2024. Then, Thornton signed a one-year, $1,1 million contract with the Chiefs during the 2025 offseason, citing Mahomes, Reid and the team's strong wide receiver room. That room includes the leader of the wide receivers, JuJu Smith-Schuster, who played with Thornton in New England in 2023. The two receivers remain close and often catch passes together after practice. 'We got that tight bond,' Thornton said. 'That's my guy.' Another former Patriots teammate on the Chiefs is Bailey Zappe, the quarterback who played with Thornton in 2022 and 2023. On a 1st-and-10 play in the second quarter vs. the Cardinals, Zappe, who struggled all game, overthrew Thornton, missing him on a deep pass. Though they didn't connect on that one, the Chiefs have made resurrecting their deep passing game a priority this offseason and hope the speedy Thornton, who ran a 4.28 in the 40-yard dash at the 2022 NFL Combine, can bolster that. He also can help on special teams. Dave Toub, the respected special teams coordinator, said Thornton is the team's best gunner, a position that lines up on the outside and is tasked with taking down the returner. Thornton also was the first Chiefs player to line up as the punt returner on Saturday. 'He's getting a lot of reps everywhere,' Toub said. Thornton attributes his special team prowess to learning from Matthew Slater, a 10-time Pro Bowler on special teams and his Patriots teammate in 2023 and 2024. Though Thornton's ability on that unit helps his chances of making the roster, competition among the Chiefs wide receivers remains fierce. And Jason Brownlee, who is in his second season with the Chiefs and originally entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the New York Jets in 2023, certainly threw his hat into the ring. He caught Mahomes' lone touchdown pass of the game — Mahomes had a remarkable and unique line of 1-for-1 for one yard and one touchdown in one minute of action — as he beat cornerback Max Melton on a fade route. 'A nice catch there,' Reid said, 'he's played well.' Brownlee also drew an illegal contact on rookie Denzel Burke on a 3rd and 9 in the second quarter, resulting in a first down in the second quarter — well after Mahomes left the game. That franchise quarterback has liked Thornton since the Chiefs signed him last year. '(He has) a ton of big-play ability,' Mahomes said.
Yahoo
03-08-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Patriots draft bust makes highlight reel catch at Chiefs practice
Former New England Patriots wide receiver Tyquan Thornton is making an impact in training camp for the Kansas City Chiefs. Fans have been buzzing about his incredible corner end zone reception on a throw from Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes at a recent practice. Mahomes threw a perfect corner pass behind the defender, and Thornton went up to get the ball, while also making sure to tap both toes inbounds before falling out. The Patriots selected Thornton in the second round of the 2022 NFL draft. He had a disappointing run with the team and was ultimately released last November. In the same month, he signed with the Chiefs' practice squad. He also signed a reserve/future contract with the team in February. Thornton has 39 receptions for 385 yards and two touchdowns during his three-year NFL career. It looks like he's off to a good start with the Chiefs to change the narrative surrounding his name after a failed run in New England. There is still plenty of time for him to turn things around considering he is only 24 years old. Thornton has solid physical abilities, most notably his height and speed. He could have an opportunity to thrive in one of the most explosive offensive systems in the league. Follow Patriots Wire on Twitter and Facebook. This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: Patriots draft bust makes highlight reel catch at Chiefs practice
USA Today
03-08-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Kansas City Chiefs WR Tyquan Thornton embraces possible special teams role
During Saturday's training camp press conference, Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyquan Thornton shared his thoughts on possibly making the final roster as a key special teams player. 'I do them (return punts) every day out here now, so we get better at it. I did it back at New England a little bit, mainly at practice, but not in the game situation.' said Thornton who also commented on possibly being a gunner on special teams, 'I mean, at New England, playing behind a guy like Matthew Slater, I learned a lot, I took a lot from him. So just apply that, come down here and do what I do.' Thornton never found a consistent role with the New England Patriots, collecting 13 starts in 28 games and 39 receptions for 385 yards and two touchdowns. Last season, he finished with four catches for 47 yards in six games for New England before being traded to Kansas City. His former teammate in New England, Slater, is considered one of the most outstanding gunners in league history. He made Pro Bowls in 16 seasons for his work on special teams.
