The Kansas City Chiefs’ offense hasn’t looked great this season, mainly due to missing two of their top wide receivers: Rashee Rice, who is serving a suspension, and Xavier Worthy, who is sidelined with an injury.
One wideout who has stepped up in their absence over the first three weeks is Tyquan Thornton. The Chiefs signed Thornton to their practice squad in 2024 after the New England Patriots released him. The young receiver recently earned praise from star tight end Travis Kelce, who couldn’t believe the Patriots let him go.
Travis Kelce Can’t Believe the Patriots Let Tyquan Thornton Slip Away
Thornton was a superstar deep threat for the Baylor Bears from 2018 to 2021. In his senior season, he exploded, catching 62 passes for 948 yards and 10 touchdowns. That performance was good enough for him to be selected in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Patriots.
However, despite being drafted highly, Thornton never found his footing in New England. Midway through his third season with the Patriots, the team ultimately decided to release him in November 2024. The Chiefs picked him up and placed him on their practice squad.
With Worthy and Rice out, a role opened up for Thornton early in the 2025 season, and he’s made the most of it. Through three games with the Chiefs, he’s totaled nine catches for 171 yards and two touchdowns.
He’s coming off an elite Week 3 performance against the New York Giants, where he led the team in receiving with five catches for 71 yards and a score. His impact on a struggling Kansas City offense has drawn attention from many, including Kelce.
On the “New Heights” podcast, Kelce explained that he didn’t understand why the Patriots ever let Thornton leave New England. He praised the young receiver for both his physical attributes and his football IQ.
“He was a steal,” Kelce said. I don’t know how he got out of New England, man, but we’re appreciative that they let him go. He’s a smart football player, sure hands. On top of that, he can run with the best of them, a big body, long arms, you know, and he’s a smart football player.”
Not many people know what it takes to be an elite receiving threat in the NFL like Kelce does, so his praise for Thornton shouldn’t be taken lightly. The young receiver’s explosion in Kansas City is a perfect example of how a change of scenery can turn a player’s career around.
Thornton will look to continue serving as a player who can stretch the field for the Chiefs, especially while Worthy, the team’s other speedster, is out. Even when Worthy and Rice return, it will be hard for the Chiefs to keep Thornton off the field, given how well he’s played.
