The Kansas City Chiefs are bringing back wide receiver Tyquan Thornton, a source confirmed to The Star.
An NFL Network report, citing Thornton’s agency, said it’s a two-year deal worth $11 million with a max to $14 million.
The 25-year-old entered the league as a second-round pick by the New England Patriots in the 2022 NFL Draft. When the Patriots waived Thornton in November 2024, the Chiefs opted to take a chance on the 6-foot-2, 185-pound receiver — and so far, that chance has paid dividends.
Thornton made the Chiefs’ roster out of 2025 training camp, and he became a critical player for Kansas City early on with wide receiver Xavier Worthy injured and Rashee Rice suspended.
During the first five games of the year, Thornton had 13 catches for 272 yards and three touchdowns. Though his playing time declined with Worthy’s and Rice’s returns, he still went on to eclipse 400 receiving yards on the season.
On special teams, Thornton took 18 kick returns for 475 yards (26.4 yards per return). With Hollywood Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster currently unrestricted free agents, Thornton could be in line for a similar role to the one he held early last season.
Time will tell as free agency unfolds and the Chiefs look ahead to the NFL Draft.
Star columnist Sam McDowell contributed to this report.