ClutchPoints
For the Kansas City Chiefs, minicamp isn’t just a tune-up. It’s an early proving ground for the players who want to earn the right to be part of a dynasty. With three Super Bowl rings in the last six seasons, Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes have established one of the NFL’s strongest cultures. Still, as this offseason showed, even great teams must evolve. And this summer, that evolution is fully underway.
Kansas City’s 2025 offseason wasn’t without its complications. Trading away All-Pro guard Joe Thuney was a gut punch. The Chiefs are now betting that Kingsley Suamataia will be a better fit inside. On the edge, newly signed tackle Jaylon Moore is expected to start. That is unless first-rounder Josh Simmons, who’s recovering from knee surgery, can fast-track his development.
Still, the team managed to retain key core pieces like guard Trey Smith and linebacker Nick Bolton. Their 2025 draft prioritized scheme-specific talent, with players who fit Reid’s system like gloves. The receiver room gets a big boost from the return of Rashee Rice. With Xavier Worthy and Hollywood Brown adding speed, and veteran JuJu Smith-Schuster back in the fold, Mahomes has a capable, if not star-studded, arsenal. However, it’s what happened during this week’s minicamp that’s gotten fans buzzing.
Here we’ll try to look at the three hottest takeaways that are coming out of the Kansas City Chiefs’ 2025 minicamp.
The wide receiver pecking order in Kansas City is mostly settled, but Tyquan Thornton is making noise. The former second-round pick by the New England Patriots spent most of last season on the Chiefs’ practice squad. Now, he’s vying for the WR6 role, and based on what we’ve seen at minicamp, he’s got a real shot.
Thornton’s blazing speed was once his calling card in the pre-draft process. Now, it has finally translated on the field, especially in Reid’s offense. They thrive on vertical threats and field-stretching speed. He’s been catching deep balls from Mahomes regularly during 11-on-11 drills and has essentially inherited the route tree that once belonged to Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Justin Watson.
“I like Tyquan. I like the way he’s approached things,” Reid told reporters. “He’s got the quarterback’s trust, which that’s a positive thing. He got valuable reps in here. The other guys could see that he’s a talented guy. So, so far so good. I’d like to see him in a game situation, how he handles that.”
It’s not just about potential anymore. Thornton is showing results. For a team that always values depth and speed, having a reliable sixth receiver who can take the top off the defense is more than a luxury. It’s a weapon.
There was speculation this offseason about how much longer Travis Kelce could keep doing this. Turns out, he’s not just hanging around. He is doubling down. The 35-year-old tight end looked spry, strong, and fully engaged throughout minicamp. There’s no reason...
