Juan Thornhill Reflects on Chiefs Tenure: Stunted Development Cost All-Pro Recognition

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Former Kansas City Chiefs safety Juan Thornhill recently opened up about his four-year stint with the team, revealing that his time in Kansas City hindered his development and cost him a chance to earn a All-Pro Recognition. Speaking to Pittsburgh’s DSEN ahead of the 2025 season, Thornhill, now with the Pittsburgh Steelers, shared candid insights into how injuries, role changes, and team dynamics limited his growth despite contributing to two Super Bowl victories.

 

Drafted in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft from Virginia, Thornhill burst onto the scene as a rookie, starting all 16 games and recording 58 tackles, three interceptions, and a pick-six, earning a spot on the PFWA All-Rookie Team. His 78.0 PFF coverage grade led all rookie safeties, showcasing his potential as a future star. However, a torn ACL in Week 17 against the Chargers sidelined him for the Chiefs’ Super Bowl LIV run, marking the beginning of a challenging journey. “That injury knocked me down mentally and physically,” Thornhill said, per Chiefs Wire. “It took a full year to trust my knee again.”

 

In 2020, Thornhill returned but struggled, playing in all 16 games with only eight starts. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo named Daniel Sorensen and Tyrann Mathieu as starting safeties, relegating Thornhill to a backup and nickel role. His stats dipped to 41 tackles and one interception, a stark contrast to his rookie year. “I felt like I was playing catch-up,” Thornhill told The Kansas City Star. “The system didn’t always let me showcase my range.” Fans and analysts, via Arrowhead Pride, noted his reduced snaps (18% fewer than 2019) and questioned whether the Chiefs’ scheme fully utilized his elite athleticism, highlighted by a 44-inch vertical and 11’9” broad jump at the 2019 Combine.

 

The 2021 season saw Thornhill regain some form, but he still played behind Sorensen and Mathieu, starting only 12 games. His career-high nine tackles in a loss to the Titans showed promise, but inconsistent opportunities limited him to one interception and five pass breakups. By 2022, Thornhill finally reclaimed a starting role, posting a career-best 71 tackles, three interceptions, and nine pass breakups, helping the Chiefs win Super Bowl LVII. Yet, he sensed his time was up. “I saw Bryan Cook getting better every week,” Thornhill said, per kckingdom.com. “I knew they’d prioritize him.”

 

Thornhill believes the Chiefs’ crowded safety room and conservative approach post-injury stifled his potential. “I could’ve been a Pro Bowler if I’d had more chances to play freely,” he told DSEN. After signing with the Cleveland Browns in 2023, injuries limited him to 22 games over two seasons, and his release in February 2025 left him seeking a fresh start. Now with Pittsburgh, Thornhill aims to prove his versatility—covering receivers, blitzing, and playing in the box—can still earn him All-Pro honors.

 

Chiefs fans, active on Reddit, have mixed reactions. Some argue Thornhill’s injuries, not the team, held him back, while others believe Spagnuolo’s system favored veterans over young talent. As Thornhill prepares for a new chapter, his reflections highlight the challenges of balancing team success with individual growth in a dynasty like Kansas City.