Five contract year Chiefs players with most to lose
By Jacob Milham
Juan Thornhill
As his rookie contract expires, safety Juan Thornhill wants to evolve in the 2022 season. If he does become an entirely better player, then he is lined up for an entirely better payday.
Thornhill waited for the talking head to set his own expectations ahead of the 2022 season.
The fact is, Thornhill looked like a budding star in his rookie year. The Chiefs drafted him 63rd overall in the 2019 NFL Draft, and he lived up to expectations and more. He started all 16 games in his rookie year, with three interceptions as well. But his career took a turn after a torn ACL in 2019. 2020 was a rollercoaster following the injury, and Thornhill sometimes looked like his old self in 2021. Emphasis on sometimes.
Thornhill has a lot to prove in 2022. He will have to elevate himself past his 2019 form to reach the desired All-Pro echelon. But, if he achieves that or even comes close, his next contract should be quite lucrative. NFL teams are certainly more willing to sign younger, ascending safeties to long-term deals rather than extend proven but older veterans. Look no further than Tyrann Mathieu’s 2022 offseason for an example.
Like Smith-Schuster, the safety group looks deep but Thornhill has an opportunity to be the top guy. If he can hold that role and succeed, that will certainly help his impending contract negotiations.