Thornton Signs with Chiefs After Being Waived by Patriots

Tyquan Thornton was waived on Saturday by the New England Patriots and subsequently cleared waivers on Monday, marking a significant shift in his career. Following his release, he attracted interest from more than a dozen teams looking to bolster their rosters. Ultimately, Thornton plans to sign with the Kansas City Chiefs, where he is expected to join their practice squad and have the opportunity to further develop his skills in a competitive environment. Kansas City has been searching for wide receiver depth after losing Rashee Rice and Marquise Brown earlier in the year.

Selected as a second-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft out of Baylor, Thornton was initially regarded as a dynamic player with extraordinary potential, having clocked an impressive 4.28 seconds in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. This blazing speed raised expectations for him to become a significant threat in the Patriots' offensive scheme. However, despite the promising start to his career, Thornton struggled to emerge as the game-changing receiver that the Patriots had anticipated.

This season, he participated in six games, starting once, during which he managed to record a modest four receptions for 47 yards. His underwhelming performance can be attributed to a combination of factors, including the demanding nature of adjusting to the professional level, competition for playing time, and the Patriots' offensive struggles. Now in Kansas City, Thornton will have time to adjust to a new franchise that will surely provide him with at least some opportunities down the field. It goes without saying that the back-to-back Super Bowl champions, led by Patrick Mahomes, are much better offensively than the Patriots. This transition from team to team should allow him to seize better opportunities when available, with a significantly improved supporting cast. As he transitions to the Chiefs, Thornton will be looking to harness his speed and refine his abilities, with hopes of making a more substantial impact in the league moving forward, as well as helping Kansas City achieve the unthinkable in a possible three-peat.