Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Kadarius Toney. William Purnell-USA TODAY Sports

Andy Reid addresses potentially benching Kadarius Toney

By Clark Dalton | Last updated 12/18/23

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Kadarius Toney keeps making costly mistakes, and some think the Chiefs should bench him.

However, Kansas City head coach Andy Reid indicated he's not ready to do that and still has faith in the 24-year-old.

"We'll see how things go. I'm not down on Toney," Reid said in a postgame news conference. "He does some good things, man. He's a young guy, so we're not talking about somebody that has been in this league a long time."

In a 27-17 win against the Patriots, Toney bobbled a pass in the fourth quarter which resulted in an interception and led to a New England TD. After the play, Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes was fuming. In a Week 14 loss to the Buffalo Bills, Toney erased a go-ahead TD with 1:12 remaining in the fourth quarter when he lined up offside.

Deflected and picked off by the @Patriots defense

: #KCvsNE on FOX
: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/kw7mays4qU pic.twitter.com/mkIJBSjcrD
— NFL (@NFL) December 17, 2023

This was Patrick Mahomes' reaction after Kadarius Toney dropped a pass that ended up being picked off by the Patriots. pic.twitter.com/lYA3DqB02H
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) December 17, 2023

Reid not throwing Toney under the bus is commendable, but it's apparent the former first-round pick isn't making the most of his opportunities. In 13 games, he has recorded 27 receptions for 169 yards and one TD.

The Chiefs receiving corps has struggled throughout the season, but some viable options are emerging. Over his past three games, rookie WR Rashee Rice has logged 24 receptions for 227 yards and two TDs.

"The Chiefs had high hopes for Toney as a No. 1 wideout this season, and he has not lived up to them," wrote ESPN's Dan Graziano. "And in a year when the Chiefs have struggled to find anything consistent from their wide receiver corps, Rice is starting to look like someone they might be able to count on down the stretch."

Toney must get his act together, or else he'll test Reid's patience and lose playing time.

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