The Kansas City Chiefs can’t quite figure out their offensive identity. While things have gotten better since the return of Rashee Rice from suspension, the offense has still fallen flat at key times, as it did in Week 11 against the Denver Broncos, despite the presence of so many weapons for Patrick Mahomes.
One player who was a big piece of the offense early in the season but has since faded away is wide receiver Tyquan Thornton. The former second-round pick by the Patriots three years ago looked to have established a new identity for himself in Kansas City, as he was one of Mahomes’ go-to weapons when Rice and Xavier Worthy were both out.
While it’s been nice to have both Rice and Worthy back in the fold, Thornton’s diminished role in the offense since their return is less than ideal, considering the positive impact he had when he was on the field. Even in the loss to Denver, Thornton had one catch, but he made that catch count, as it went for 61 yards. Good things happen when the ball goes Thornton’s way, but head coach Andy Reid and offensive coordinator Matt Nagy aren’t making him a priority.
Chiefs fans aren’t the only ones annoyed by lack of usage for Tyquan Thornton
Chiefs fans aren’t the only ones frustrated by Thornton’s lack of involvement, however. Two former Chiefs players sounded off about his lack of usage on X, the first being former running back LeSean McCoy. Shady, who was responding to a clip of Thornton’s catch, posted the following after the Chiefs’ most recent loss.
I don’t kno why he don’t play more .. he the second best wr after RICE if we being honest https://t.co/WUxEph2t2s
— LeSean Shady Mccoy (@CutonDime25) November 16, 2025
Former Chiefs offensive lineman Jeff Allen also got in on the conversation. He reposted what McCoy said and offered his own take.
Said this and people said I was crazy https://t.co/nQBIv2lsvb
— The Cookie Expert (@JeffAllen71) November 17, 2025
See, Chiefs fans? You’re not alone in wondering why Thornton isn’t more involved in this offense. It’s not as though Rice and Worthy and the other options are tearing it up so much that the Chiefs don’t need Thornton. No, they could actually use the guy! That’s what makes this situation so irritating.
If the Chiefs want to get the vertical offense working more effectively, they would do well to make Thornton a central piece of the puzzle instead of a rarely-used option. Everyone seems to agree on that.
