The Chiefs don’t shy away from adding new pieces to their puzzle. Why would they? If a fresh face can help secure the elusive 3-peat, you can bet that they are taking their shot… Enter Tyquan Thornton, the former Patriots wideout who’s now on Kansas City’s practice squad.

A second-round pick in 2022, Thornton never found his rhythm in Foxborough. So, when the Pats cut ties, KC scooped him up. Solid move? Sure. But there’s a catch that has fans raising their eyebrows.

Here’s the thing: Thornton was handed the #19 jersey. Yeah, that number. Chiefs fans know it all too well—it’s synonymous with the Joe Montana curse.

For those unfamiliar, it’s been a thing ever since Montana rocked #19 for KC back in the ’90s. Every player who’s worn it since has struggled to make an impact.

So you can understand why, naturally, the Chiefs Kingdom is worried. Can Thornton break the curse? Or is he already starting from the wrong side of history? One good sign is that Patrick Mahomes seems optimistic about Thornton. “Ton of big-play ability,” he said when asked about the young receiver. “I didn’t realize how tall he was until he got in.”

High praise from QB1, but Thornton has a steep climb ahead. He’ll need more than speed and height to shake off the weight of #19 and the expectations of a fanbase eyeing another Lombardi. Let’s not forget, Thornton’s joining a WR group still figuring itself out after injuries and inconsistency this season.

But the Chiefs fans are not worried about that, for now. There’s a divide—half hoping he’s the one to rewrite the #19 narrative and half bracing for déjà vu.

The Chiefs Kingdom is not all in for Thornton wearing #19

Chiefs fans don’t pull their punches, do they? When Tyquan Thornton was handed the #19 jersey, reactions poured in faster than Mahomes escaping a collapsing pocket. One fan’s gut reaction summed it up: “Oh no!” And honestly, can you blame them? That number carries some serious baggage. Joe Montana wore it during his Chiefs stint, and while it didn’t bring a Super Bowl, it cemented his legacy. Since then? The players who’ve donned it haven’t exactly lit up the scoreboard.

Another fan kept it simple, but the frustration was clear: “Nooooo.” For real, it’s not just about the number—it’s what it represents. #19 feels like a revolving door of unmet expectations.

From Devon Wylie, the shifty receiver who never found his NFL legs, to Kyle Williams, the San Fran import who fizzled out faster than a fourth-quarter lead, the jersey hasn’t had much luck. Thornton stepping into it feels like he’s carrying a weighty legacy he didn’t sign up for.

“The Montana curse jersey,” one fan quipped. To be clear, Montana was great, no doubt. But since his time, the #19 jersey seems cursed. Just ask Jeremy Maclin fans. Maclin had a solid first season with KC but left under messy circumstances, becoming more memorable for his exit than his contributions. Fans still wonder what could’ve been. And now, Thornton inherits not just a jersey number, but the ghosts of Chiefs wideouts past.

“Joe Montana,” another fan simply stated. That name alone stirs up memories of greatness—but also serves as a reminder of how far #19 has fallen in Kansas City. Can Tyquan Thornton rewrite the narrative? Chiefs Kingdom is skeptical, but the pigskin is in his court. Or, in this case, his hands.