Five genius changes that saved the KC Chiefs season

Thornhill over Sorensen

If there was a single move that Chiefs Kingdom wanted to see the Chiefs make during their early-season slide, it was to bench veteran safety Daniel Sorensen. It took longer than anyone wanted or expected, but the Chiefs finally forced Sorensen to the bench in place of Juan Thornhill, who was somehow not getting starter’s reps for Spags. The difference was noticeable from the outset

Sorensen has never been an elite athlete–at least in NFL terms—but he’s carved out a very impressive career for himself over the last seven previous seasons with a high IQ, great instincts, and solid technique. The ceiling might be low but the floor is high with a guy like Sorensen on the Chiefs roster, and a third safety spot was an ideal place for him (even now).

Somehow, however, the Chiefs got it in their heads that Juan Thornhill needed to sit for more reps than he played as a way to teach him a lesson. While it’s worked in the past to put someone in the doghouse (e.g. Todd Haley and Derrick Johnson), the truth is that Sorensen was a mismatch against every opponent and needed to be relegated to the bench much earlier than he was.

While it was too late in some respects, the Chiefs eventually made the switch and the on-field results speak for themselves.