The Kansas City Chiefs have signed Tyquan Thornton, the former New England Patriots wide receiver who was waived just a few days ago, per Ian Rapoport. Fresh off their first defeat of the season, it seems the Chiefs are looking to boost their practice squad.
The Patriots surprised many by waiving Thornton on Saturday. This move was unexpected, especially considering Thornton was a second-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft and well-regarded for running a 4.28-second 40-yard dash at the 2022 NFL Combine, and it could signal potential changes in the team’s offensive strategy.
Thornton dealt with injuries at the end of his first two training camps in New England and struggled to make an impact, both in terms of plays and catches, during the season. He played in six games this season, starting once, and recorded four catches for 47 yards. Over his two years with the Patriots, he appeared in 28 games (13 starts), finishing with 39 receptions, 385 yards, and two touchdowns.
Now, Thornton has reportedly been signed to the Chiefs’ practice squad, where he might eventually begin to maximize the potential that he was previously expected to display.
Kansas City is likely looking to increase the depth of their receiving core, especially considering wide receivers Rashee Rice and Marquise Brown are both out for the rest of the season. Previously, the Chiefs acquired All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins from the Tennessee Titans. Since joining the team, Hopkins has recorded 14 receptions for 171 yards and two touchdowns over three games.
Many Chiefs fans are still smarting from the 2022 trade of Tyreek Hill to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for a 2022 first-round pick (originally acquired from the San Francisco 49ers), a 2022 second-round pick, two fourth-round picks, and a 2023 sixth-round pick. Since then, Hill has achieved career-high in receptions and receiving yards, as well as earning Pro Bowl and First Team All-Pro honors.
At the moment, the Chiefs have lost only one game in the 2024 season, a 30-21 to the Buffalo Bills. The team is having a stellar season so far, so it makes sense that they would be looking to acquire potential talent wherever they could, considering they will almost certainly be very low on the totem pole of draft picks. Picking up Thornton off of waivers is a start.
