Kansas City head coach Andy Reid is happy that Thornton — who now wears No. 80 — is taking advantage of his opportunity to get more reps with quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
“I think one of the great things is that Pat has been able to get some game time with a couple of guys he didn’t have a lot of game time with — [like] Hollywood and 80,” Reid noted to reporters on Wednesday. “When the [Worthy and Rice] come in, then he’s got experience with them. I look at the production of the other two guys, Hollywood and Thornton, and it’s been a real positive for the team.”
Thornton has been the hot hand in the top two receivers’ absence. Thornton is second on the team in targets — trailing only Brown — and is tied for the team lead with 171 receiving yards. He also leads Kansas City with two receiving touchdowns.
Despite his fast start, Thornton is working to get better every day.
“I’m learning a lot,” he said on Wednesday. “I learn every day. [I’m] taking the little things from some of the veteran players on how I can be better at the little things. [I’m] going out there each and every day on the practice field and challenging myself.”
Thornton has learned that soliciting help from veterans — in tandem with practice and film study — is a great way to improve his game. And it’s also helpful to keep his ears open for what the quarterback wants.