The Kansas City Chiefs have had plenty of turnover at the wide receiver position over the last few years. It really makes you think about how special Patrick Mahomes’ play was to bring home two more Super Bowl titles in 2022 and 2023. There were a ton of results that did not come according to plan in 2025 at wide receiver.
Kansas City saw Xavier Worthy and Rashee Rice hit snags in their respective developments. Hollywood Brown never really continued the solid stretch he had in the postseason after the 2024 regular season. But outside of those negatives, there was a bright spot with Tyquan Thornton.
Thornton ended 2024 on the Kansas City practice squad. Intrigue surrounded his name on the depth chart more than any real expectations entering 2025 training camp. However, Thornton routinely stacked good days together during that part of the calendar. And with the Chiefs facing numerous injuries and availability questions early in the 2025 regular season, it was Thornton who stepped up with contributions. He really built a solid connection with Mahomes. The only issue? Kansas City did not give him enough chances to see the field during a season that unraveled.
Those flashes make him one of the pending free agents that the Chiefs—and their fans—likely want to see back in 2026. And for Kansas City’s sake, his next contract should be pretty reasonable if they plan to re-sign him.
Tyquan Thornton's contract year in review
Even after entering concussion protocol late in the season, Thornton still appeared in 14 games in 2025. That was a single-season best for the former Baylor wide receiver. Thornton also set a new career high in receiving yards (438) on 19 receptions. That was good enough for a hefty 23.1 yards per catch. He also finished with 3 receiving touchdowns.
When looking further at his numbers, it is wild to see how consistently the Chiefs moved the chains when Mahomes connected with Thornton. Fifteen of his 19 catches on the season helped set Kansas City up for a new set of downs, via Pro Football Reference. For an offense that has been longing for more explosive plays, Thornton always seemed to provide that for the passing attack.
His mix of positive receiving grades on deep throws and a lack of drops gave Mahomes a sense of comfort. That is something that has been lacking from time to time over the last couple of seasons. It would be wise to keep that confident, comfortable connection in-house for 2026, especially with Mahomes coming off his knee injury.
Tyquan Thornton's market outlook in free agency
Supplying your offense with as many viable weapons as possible is paramount. Therefore, almost any team could be on the lookout to add a wide receiver this offseason. But if you look at the 2025 season, there were some absolutely horrible collective wide receiver rooms. Here are a few that could look in Thornton’s direction.
The New York Jets and Cleveland Browns finished as the two worst teams in receiving yards this past season. They each have really only one viable wide receiver threat in Garrett Wilson and Jerry Jeudy. Neither of those two can carry the load by themselves. It would not be surprising if the Jets and Browns added multiple wide receivers via free agency or the draft.
Another team that could use wide receiver reinforcements is the Tennessee Titans. Not only do they need more options for young signal-caller Cam Ward, but Tennessee also needs more substance and worthy threats than what they trotted out in 2025.
Finally, another team that is possibly ripe for wide receiver changes is the Washington Commanders. They have four wideouts due for free agency this offseason. Plus, many of their 2025 pass catchers were older. A younger option like Thornton could easily appeal to them.
Will Tyquan Thornton stay or go?
It is simple to envision the Chiefs using whatever cap space they can muster on many other different options. Though re-signing Tyquan Thornton could be worthwhile for keeping someone who already knows the system. Thornton is not likely to break the bank, either. He made just $1.1 million in 2025. He will receive a deserved raise, yet it will not be large enough to deter K.C. from fitting him into the picture, one would assume.
Mahomes had synergy with him. You can hope to see him improve even further with perhaps more snaps in 2026. Most of all, he is a younger option who could still realistically be part of the team’s long-term plans down the line, if all goes well.
Prediction: Chiefs re-sign Thornton on a one-year deal worth $5 million with potential incentives to increase the max value