Patrick Mahomes gushes over Kadarius Toney's return to Chiefs lineup

While speaking with reporters on Sunday, quarterback Patrick Mahomes was oozing with excitement while discussing the prospect of having Toney back in the fold. 

“The talent that he has, the competitor that he is to be able to go out there and have that weapon, would definitely be a huge positive,” Mahomes said. “He’s done a great job and the practices that he’s been in so far. I’m looking forward to him continuing to step up and be even better and be more like his normal self." 

Toney arrived in Kansas City midway through last season via a trade with the New York Giants. While injuries limited his playing time, Toney flashed the big-play potential that made him a first-round pick in 2021, scoring three total touchdowns on 19 touches. His abilities were on full display during Kansas City's title run, where he hauled in a touchdown catch and ripped off a Super Bowl-record 65-yard punt return in the team's victory over the Philadelphia Eagles.

Whether the Chiefs throw Toney into the fire on Thursday night after his extensive absence remains unknown. Yet, one thing is for certain, the Chiefs offense is far more electric with Toney in the lineup.

"I mean, honestly, going out there the first day and first few days and seeing him, he looks like KT [Kadarius Toney] and so I’m excited for that," Mahomes said. "He put a lot of time in that rehab process so that he can get himself ready, hopefully, to play in this first week.”