Kansas City Chiefs fans have seen this song and dance before, but there’s nothing Tyquan Thornton can do about that. The wide receiver can only control what’s in front of him, and so far, he’s doing everything he can not just to be another Chiefs preseason sensation.

Thornton is the receiver du jour in St. Joseph, Missouri, as the Chiefs get into their first full week of training camp. It’s a continuation of his buzzed-about performances in offseason training activities and minicamp in May and June. The fact that Thornton can continue to impress his coaches bodes well for his chances of making the active roster.

However, every Chiefs preseason comes with at least one receiver standout attempting to upset expectations in his climb up the team’s depth chart. Thornton is the safest bet among longshots, but the entire category itself can lead to unsubstantiated hype.

That’s what the preseason is for, however, and Chiefs Kingdom is well aware of this. During exhibitions in August, it’s much more fun to track how fringe roster players are faring than it is to watch veterans take their minimally-safe reps that amount to nothing in the greater scheme. The only drama—the reason we watch football—is around such roster questions and concerns.

Thornton was signed by the Chiefs in February after three seasons with the New England Patriots. Despite being a second-round choice in 2022 with one year remaining on his contract, the Pats decided to cut ties after serving as a healthy scratch on a team in need of young receivers and deep speed. (Don’t forget that Thornton ran a 4.28-second time in the 40-yard dash.)

Tyquan Thornton is doing his best to sustain his offseason hype through the Chiefs’ preseason.

Thornton is a popular pick to surprise the Chiefs this summer among the lot of competitors. Jason Brownlee’s name is hardly mentioned in reports from St. Joseph or otherwise. Elijhah Badger had some analysts excited as an undrafted free agent, but the noise there is minimal as well. The same shuold be said of Jimmy Holiday, and Hal Presley was just signed.

Mac Delana is having some nice moments, which bodes well for him, but he’s likely pushing for a practice squad spot in terms of NFL readiness. That leaves Thornton as the primary threat of Nikko Remigio’s certainty for a roster spot.

What’s working against Thornton is the wall of reality that hits around late-August, the one that proves all the hype wasn’t justified in the end for others who’ve gone before him. Daurice Fountain is one name fans will remember from preseasons past. Justyn Ross is another. Cornell Powell and Corey Coleman and John Ross and Antonio Callaway and Derrius Shepherd and Gehrig Dieter—the parade is clear.

Not every player has earned such sustained respect, however, and that’s where Thornton has to feel good about his chances, at least relatively speaking. The Chiefs also have to be thrilled about the potential of Thornton to be a late-bloomer, a player who could finally prove his considerable speed and agility has a home in the NFL.

For now, all Thornton can do is focus on the things he can control and put up yet another day of good work in Chiefs camp. The rest will take care of itself.