Former Chiefs star sees Super Bowl contender in new team

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

Former Kansas City Chiefs safety Juan Thornhill left the 2022 Super Bowl champions this offseason and hasn’t looked back. In fact, he has high hopes for his current team, the Cleveland Browns, in an upcoming season that might include some copper pots for himself.

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

Thornhill told reporters Friday in his first press conference as the Browns that he admires the talent in Cleveland and has every confidence in the world that the team can make it to the Super Bowl in 2023.

Thornhill said via ClevelandBrowns.com:

“All the pieces are here. I’ve got a really good quarterback, receivers, and the defense is very strong. I feel like all the pieces are here and we have that ability to get out there and make a splash in the playoffs and get to the Super Bowl.”

After four seasons in Kansas City, Thornhill gained valuable playoff experience including two Super Bowl wins; He is also coming off the best season of his career with 71 total tackles and three interceptions.

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

Having fully recovered from the torn ACL from his rookie year, Thornhill has proven his durability and consistency the past few years and joined the Browns as a replacement for John Johnson III.

The Browns have been quietly rebuilding their defense this season, starting with a new defensive coordinator in Jim Schwartz, and Thornhill wasn’t wrong about Cleveland’s pride in a promising young team.

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

However, is Cleveland a more desirable destination than Kansas City? Most will say no.

Kansas City has always had a sustainable model of success under Brett Veitch and Andy Reid, and despite losing a few rookies to free agency, the team is poised to bounce back for another deep playoff run in 2023.

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

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