Kansas City Chiefs Face Contract Deadline for Troubled Receiver
The relationship between the Kansas City Chiefs and receiver Kadarius Toney has been complicated, to say the least.
Although a dissolution of their association seemed imminent at times last season – due to both injury and engagement concerns – the Chiefs now face a significant decision on whether there is adequate cause for Toney’s time in Kansas City to continue.
Nov 20, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Kadarius Toney (19) celebrates after a first down during the first half against the Philadelphia Eagles at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Toney’s fifth-year contract option must be picked up by the Chiefs on Thursday (May 2) to prevent the former New York Giants 2021 first-round pick from hitting the free agent market next year. As the option would pay Toney a fully-guaranteed $14.3 million in 2025, Kansas City is not expected to be exercised.
Still, Chiefs general manager Brett Veach did not officially close the door to the possibility when speaking on the subject with reporters just prior to the NFL Draft.
“I know Kadarius has obviously had a long history of injury issues but he is probably our most talented wideout,” Veach said. “Again, it doesn’t do anyone any good unless you stay healthy, but the kid has always worked hard here for us. I think it’s just a matter of him staying healthy. If he can do that, he can really do a lot of great things in this offense.”
In 20 career games with the Chiefs, Toney has 41 passes for 340 yards and three touchdowns. In his first full season with the club, the 25-year-old largely underwhelmed, logging 27 receptions for 169 yards, and one score. In addition to missing time due to meniscus, hip and ankle injuries, his season was marred by several dropped passes and inconsistent play. In what some considered to be the last straw, Toney took to Instagram in late January, in which he claimed he was not injured and that the Chiefs were falsely playing him on the injury report. Though he later apologized for his conduct, he did not retract the remarks.
Still, neither the Chiefs, nor Veach have publicly rebuked the talented, yet troubled wideout. In fact, Toney’s recent workouts with star quarterback Patrick Mahomes have some wondering whether Kansas City may consider keeping Toney as a mentor to younger receivers such as Skyy Moore and rookie Xavier Worthy – especially given the uncertain future of starting receiver Rashee Rice.
“That’s one of the things – there’s a lot of speculation about KT, but I don’t think we ever stopped believing in him. I think people around the building like him. It’s the injury bug, hopefully he gets some luck on his side and can stay healthy and can be the player that he was in (The University of) Florida and the player that we’ve seen in spurts here … I know he’s been down there with Pat (Mahomes) and I’m just hoping he has good offseason and has a little luck on his side and can stay healthy.”