It looks like Chiefs WR Tyquan Thornton will be playing more special teams moving forward.
The Kansas City Chiefs leaned on Tyquan Thornton as a receiver during the early portion of the 2025 NFL season, but they’re now seeing him excel in a new role.
Thornton has gone from averaging over 75% of the offensive snaps to averaging less than 30% of the offensive snaps. It’s not a matter of performance so much as WRs Xavier Worthy (shoulder) and Rashee Rice (suspension) returning to the fold. Naturally, with a dip in offensive snaps, special teams coordinator Dave Toub has found a use for Thornton. That was expedited with Brashard Smith taking a larger role on offense while Isiah Pacheco is sidelined.
The Eagles should seriously think about TRADING AJ BROWN this offseason…The Eagles should seriously think about TRADING AJ BROWN this offseason…
In Week 9 against the Buffalo Bills, Thornton played a total of five special teams snaps with four total kick returns, totaling 126 yards and a 31.5-yard per return average. It was his highest percentage of special teams snaps since joining Kansas City. That game showed us something about what Thornton can be to that unit.
Dave Toub says Chiefs WR Tyquan Thornton is becoming a threat at kick returner
Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub spoke about Thornton’s emerging role on Thursday, explaining that they’ve got quite the one-two punch forming at the kick return specialist position.
“…We want certain guys to have the ball certain times,” Toub said. “So, we try to put guys in a position where we think they’re going to try to kick it to us, and certain things. But (Tyquan) Thornton was really good last week, or when we played last. I mean, he (had) four returns. I think he averaged like 32 yards per return. We had a nice counter where he almost popped it, the second one. So, you know, he’s promising back there. And Nikko (Remigio) does a hell of a job blocking. When he doesn’t have the ball, he blocks really well. So, it’s a good combination.”
It’s a small sample size with only five kicks returned for 154 yards, but Thornton’s 30.8 kick return average on the season ranks him fifth in the league. Chiefs rookie RB Brashard Smith, by comparison, has a 26.8 kick return average on over double the kick returns. Remigio is sitting at 26.4 yards per return on a team-leading 14 kick return opportunities.
Tyquan Thornton’s kick returns in Week 9
- 31 yards
- 32 yards
- 29 yards
- 34 yards
“Yeah, we want him to have the ball,” Toub said of Thornton. “You know, Nikko (Remigio), I feel good with him having it, too. I like the tandem that we have back there on kick returns.”
Chiefs fans naturally want to see Thornton return to action on the offensive side of the ball. After all, he’s had some pretty big performances this season. However, if he can emerge as a dual-threat weapon on both special teams and offense, he becomes infinitely more valuable for this team moving forward. Not only will he be viewed as vital depth and relief at wide receiver, but someone who can positively impact the average field position for Patrick Mahomes and the offense.
