Ex-Patriots Wideout Reportedly Signs With Contender Days After Release

Tyquan Thornton is about to run on some much greener grass.

Thornton is signing with the Kansas City Chiefs practice squad, according to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport. The 2022 second-round pick was released by the New England Patriots on Saturday.

It marked the end of Thornton’s tenure in Foxboro, Mass., as the speedy receiver was a healthy scratch four times this season. Thornton played 28 games during his three seasons with the Patriots. He concluded with 39 catches on 76 targets for 385 yards and two touchdowns.

New England selected Thornton two picks before Pittsburgh Steelers wideout George Pickens, who has 163 catches for 2,669 yards and 11 touchdowns in 44 games.

Thornton lands in a better situation than any he had in New England. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid and quarterback Patrick Mahomes have made a habit of turning even the most pedestrian wideouts into productive pass-catchers.

There are plenty of bodies in Kansas City’s receiver room, including a depth chart headlined by DeAndre Hopkins, Xavier Worthy and JuJu Smith-Schuster. Justin Watson and Mecole Hardman are depth options on the 53-man while Rashee Rice and Skyy Moore are on injured reserve.

Patriots fans shouldn’t be surprised if Thornton makes a meaningful catch during a playoff game, though.