KC Chiefs players with added motivation in Super Bowl LV after missing the previous season

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ORCHARD PARK, NY – OCTOBER 19: Stefon Diggs #14 of the Buffalo Bills can’t come up with the reception against Juan Thornhill #22 of the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half at Bills Stadium on October 19, 2020 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images) /

Juan Thornhill

Safety Juan Thornhill dazzled in his rookie season in 2019, but a knee injury derailed his hopes to contribute to the team’s postseason run. Now recovered, Thornhill has returned to the lineup, but not without some bumps along the road. The former 2nd round pick from Virginia has struggled some in his sophomore season, taking poor angles and mis-calculating his speed in his recovery.

But he also played one of his best games as a pro against Buffalo in the AFC Championship Game. Thornhill played wisely in centerfield and helped keep the Bills wide receivers in check.

This is why we drafted @Juan_Thornhill.#Chiefs | #ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/bwZa2eAjZH
— Scott Loring (@ChiefsChannel) February 3, 2021

Thornhill also made a near-interception in the first quarter, as well as an acrobatic play on the ball to force an incompletion in the red zone on the pass before Rashad Fenton’s third quarter interception.

Thornhill’s presence allows the Chiefs to get creative with Mathieu, and that makes the entire defense completely unpredictable. If Kansas City can get another high-quality game out of Juan Thornhill in his first Super Bowl, look out.

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