The biggest benefits of the bye week for the Kansas City Chiefs

3. Thornhill’s Replacement

With the latest word showing that Thornhill is likely to miss the entire postseason, this becomes a major factor for the Chiefs defense. Thornhill plays a very specific yet important role in Steve Spagnoulo’s defense.

The Chiefs are likely going to stick with internal options to replace Thornhill with Armani Watts earning the majority of snaps in his absence. Watts is not the same player, but he did look sharp on a couple plays. Daniel Sorensen is also around, although the skill set isn’t nearly the same and Spagnuolo has other uses for Sorensen.

It’s also possible that the Chiefs continue to experiment with cornerback Kendall Fuller‘s versatility in the wake of Thornhill’s injury. The Chiefs have been using their slot corner as a safety in recent weeks, in much the same way that starting safety Tyrann Mathieu can quickly convert into a slot corner and back again.

With Fuller’s versatility to switch with Mathieu at times, offenses have to continually guess at the defense’s intentions. Unfortunately Thornhill’s role as free safety is a different matter and could alter what the Chiefs can do at the line. But if Fuller is available to help in a new way and help cover some of these deficiencies, he might be a better option than Watts.

It’s also entirely possible the Chiefs look outside the organization for help with a free agent signing if Thornhill is placed on injured reserve. T.J. McDonald is only 28 coming off a decent year with the Dolphins, George Iloka is a bit older and had a much worse 2018 but is still an experienced player with 7 seasons under his belt. Then again, the Chiefs could turn to a familiar face.

Eric Berry remains unsigned despite early reports that Dallas had intentions to sign him. Yes, Eric Berry has a history of letting nagging injuries stick around and keep him sidelined. Berry also had an underwhelming 2018 season in the Bob Sutton defense. But this is not the Sutton defense anymore is it? Players from all over the 2018′ defense have shined in 2019 under new management, whether it be the Chiefs or elsewhere, and who is to say that Berry could not have the same result?

If nothing else, the Chiefs can activate Alex Brown as a final defensive back and rely on him and Jordan Lucas more than ever before.

None of these options are exciting. The Chiefs are clearly going to miss Thornhill for the duration of the postseason, but a first-round bye gives them time to formulate a better plan rather than reacting only as quickly as they can turn around and play again.