Timing is everything.
That has been true in a very underrated way for Tyquan Thornton and the Kansas City Chiefs.
It has to do with when the Chiefs signed Thornton.
Thornton was released by the New England Patriots, who had made him a second-round draft pick just a few years earlier, during the middle of the 2024 season.
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The Chiefs signed Thornton to the practice squad in November 2024.
That meant Thornton spent the entire offseason program with Kansas City after already seeing how the Chiefs operated at the end of last season, too.
It was a great luxury for Thornton.
Players in his shoes, former high draft picks who end up disappointing with their original team, are often cut at some point in August. They sign late with a team and have to get up to speed in a hurry.
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It was the opposite for Thornton. He had all the time in the world to learn how the Chiefs do things before his number was called.
When Xavier Worthy went down in Week 1, Thornton was ready, because he'd had more than ample preparation.
He caught another touchdown on Sunday night as the Chiefs picked up their first win of the season. And even when Worthy is back, Thornton has made the case that he belongs in the picture.
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