The Kansas City Chiefs are two weeks into training camp, and players are already beginning to separate themselves from the pack.
The secondary has been rebuilt over the offseason with rookies from the draft and new veterans added via free agency. Chiefs safety Juan Thornhill remains a mainstay of a defensive unit that has gone through many changes. Thornhill appears to be past his nagging injuries that have hampered his production over the past few years. Now, he’s taken a mentorship role in a secondary full of young and talented players.
“I mean, I was once a rookie at one point,” Thornhill told reporters. “I know that it takes time to, like, pick up on that playbook. Because (Steve Spagnuolo’s) defense, like it’s not a joke. So I think the guys are doing a heck of a job. I mean, it shows that they’re studying. They’re making a lot of plays on the ball. They’re not making a lot of mistakes on the field. And then that’s the main thing is, just that they’re playing with confidence. So I like that group a whole lot. And I’m just excited for them.”
Thornhill is just 26 years old and is entering his fourth season with the Chiefs. He says he didn’t change anything about his preparation when it comes to being a leader, he just naturally has taken up the mantle, leading by example as a veteran player in the room.
“I don’t really feel like I did anything different,” said Thornhill. “Just being more vocal to the guys. Guys come to me, ask questions, and they look to me to give them the right answer if they don’t have the right answer. So that’s the only thing that I have been doing—just trying to be a leader and lead by example. If they have any questions, just ask me. I’m not doing anything different.”
While Thornhill has already promised an All-Pro-worthy effort from himself this season, he feels that his teammates in the safety room can be very good too. Asked about the potential of the group, Thornhill was unwilling to put a cap on the possibilities.
“The sky isn’t the limit — we can go past that,” Thornhill said. “I feel like we have a really good safety group. Guys can make plays on the ball and we’ve been showing it each and every week. Guys can tackle, they’re physical. And like I said before, we’re going to be one of the most feared defensive back units in the NFL.”
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