Speculation is growing that the Kansas City Chiefs will move on from Kadarius Toney after bringing back JuJu Smith-Schuster in free agency.
On Monday, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero announced that the Chiefs are reuniting with Smith-Schuster following his release from the New England Patriots. The speedy wideout returns to a Kansas City WR room consisting of Rashee Rice, Marquise ‘Hollywood’ Brown, Xavier Worthy, Skyy Moore, Justyn Ross and Kadarius Toney.
With Smith-Schuster returning to the Chiefs, there is buzz growing on X/Twitter that Toney will be the odd man out:
NEWS: It has become increasingly likely that former first-round receiver Kadarius Toney will be CUT by the #Chiefs and not make their initial 53-man roster.
Toney, the 2x Super Bowl Champion, is still only 25 years old and is extremely talented.
10+ teams will show interest. pic.twitter.com/nslgqTnJCb
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) August 26, 2024
𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐑𝐔𝐌𝐎𝐑:
The Chiefs are expected to release WR Kadarius Toney very soon.End of an error. pic.twitter.com/qRuYQVqddv
— NFL Notifications (@NFLNotify) August 26, 2024
#CTESPN Chiefs Are Set to Release Kadarius Toney pic.twitter.com/f5yMoPEp1n
— CTESPNNetwork (@CtespnN) August 26, 2024
Toney was drafted in the first round (20th overall) by the New York Giants in 2021. After two inconsistent seasons in the Meadowlands, he was sent to the Kansas City Chiefs ahead of the 2022 NFL trade deadline.
Though Kadarius Toney played a big role in the Chiefs’ Super Bowl 57 victory against the Philadelphia Eagles, he hasn’t found any consistency. Over his first two years with the Chiefs, Toney has just 41 receptions for 340 yards and three touchdowns.
The #Chiefs‘ WR depth chart is getting pretty crowded. 😅 pic.twitter.com/wWBVFXqgwV
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) August 26, 2024
Toney has struggled with drops during his tenure in Kansas City and infamously committed a rare offensive offside penalty that wiped out a game-winning touchdown in the team’s Week 14 loss to the Buffalo Bills.
The Chiefs open their 2024 season at home against the Baltimore Ravens on Sept. 5.
Kadarius Toney Needs A Fresh Start
The former first-round pick couldn’t get anything going in Kansas City last season despite the lack of depth at wide receiver outside of Rashee Rice. Surely, Toney isn’t about to break out now with Brown and Worthy joining the revamped wide receiver room.
In college, Toney dazzled with his dazzling speed and shiftiness. It didn’t work out with the Giants and hasn’t come together in Kansas City, but perhaps Toney could finally hit his potential on another team that would give him an increased role in their offense.
