Former Chiefs star sees Super Bowl contender in new team

Juan Thornhill didn’t waste a second making himself at home on the Browns and spoke out about his Super Bowl aspirations on his new team.

Former Kansas City Chiefs safety Juan Thornhill left the 2022 reigning Super Bowl champions this offseason and hasn’t looked back. In fact, he has high hopes for his current team, the Cleveland Browns, next season which could include some brassware for himself.

The 27-year-old signed a three-year, $21 million contract with the Browns, bidding farewell to the team that drafted him in the second round back in 2019.

Thornhill told reporters on Friday in his first news conference as a Brown that he was impressed by the talent in Cleveland and has all the confidence in the world that the team can make it to the Super Bowl in 2023.

Thornhill said, via ClevelandBrowns.com:

“All of the pieces are here. Got a really good quarterback, receivers, the defense is super strong. I feel like all of the pieces are here and we have that capability of getting there and making a splash in the playoffs and making it to the Super Bowl.”

After four seasons in Kansas City, Thornhill has racked up valuable playoff experience including two Super Bowl wins; he’s also coming off a career-best season with 71 total tackles and three interceptions.

Former Chiefs safety Juan Thornhill is excited to get the ball rolling with Browns

Having fully recovered from his torn ACL from his rookie year, Thornhill proved his durability and consistency in the last few years and joins the Browns as John Johnson III’s replacement.

The Browns have been quietly rebuilding their defense this offseason, starting with a new defensive coordinator in Jim Schwartz, and Thornhill isn’t wrong about Cleveland boasting a young and promising squad.

Quarterback Deshaun Watson’s personal issues aside, the Browns are projected to grow as a more serious playoff contender in 2023 even in the crowded AFC North.

Still, is Cleveland considered a more desirable destination than Kansas City? The majority would say no.

Kansas City has long run a sustainable model of success under Brett Veach and Andy Reid, and despite losing a few starters in free agency the team is primed to bounce back for another deep playoff run in 2023.

The Browns, on the other hand, sold their future for Deshaun Watson and have only a small window to compete for the Super Bowl. The Chiefs and Browns are not the same, but as long as Thornhill is happy with his move, that’s all that matters.