Kadarius Toney was inactive for the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl victory over the San Francisco 49ers, but, according to head coach Andy Reid that isn’t any sort of indication about his future.
Dropped passes plagued Toney’s 2023 campaign, and despite his athleticism, he has yet to develop into a consistently reliable weapon in All-Pro quarterback Patrick Mahomes‘ arsenal.
Last season, Toney caught 27 passes for 169 yards with one touchdown. But, as Pro Football Focus points out, the former first-round pick also dropped four passes, including one that was intercepted and returned for a touchdown in Kansas City’s Week 1 loss to the Detroit Lions.
Still, Reid believes Toney has a bright future in Kansas City.
Andy Reid’s Ringing Endorsement of Kansas City Chiefs’ Kadarius Toney
Toney has never quite lived up to his first-round billing, and while he made one of the most crucial plays in Kansas City’s Super Bowl victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, has yet to put it all together as a consistent contributor, either.
Kansas City originally acquired Toney, the 20th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, in exchange for a 2023 third-round pick and 2023 a 2023 sixth-round selection.
But, Reid thinks Toney could potentially be one of the most prolific weapons on a loaded roster.
“Kadarius is arguably one of the most talented guys we have on the team,” Reid told reporters. “It’s just a matter of being healthy and being able to stay on the field and you always hear about the reliability, accountability, all those things that go into it.
“And so I’m expecting him to come back ripping and ready to go. It’s great that he’s down there working with Pat and putting the work in. So that’s a position. Listen, we like Kadarius. It’s just a matter of having him on the field.”
After signing Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, the Chiefs will likely also select another wide receiver high during the NFL Draft.
Since Toney is only set to count $2.53 million against the cap in 2023, the Chiefs will likely give him the chance to compete for meaningful snaps. Maybe this will be the year he finally puts it all together.
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