When the Chiefs traded for receiver Kadarius Toney during the 2022 offseason, they thought they were getting a steal in the form of a player with the talent to become a No. 1 receiver and a very affordable rookie contract that had more than two years remaining. In his original term of four years.
Now, it's fair to ask if Toney will ever play for the Chiefs again.
He's played in just one game since lining up offside on a memorable, sideline catch from tight end Travis Kelce that would have become a potential game-winning touchdown from Toney. In that Week 15 win over the Patriots, Toney had a flagrant touchdown that became an interception by New England.
As of Sunday, he will have missed six straight games.
The most serious sign regarding his future with the team comes from the fact that his downgrade Saturday from questionable with a hip injury to out against the Ravens in the AFC Championship Game included a new label: personal reasons.
He is under contract for 2024 with a base salary of $2.53 million. The Chiefs can exercise the fifth-year option by early May. At this point, it would be surprising if they did.
At this point, it would be surprising if he's even with the Chiefs in 2024.
The Chiefs have every reason to make a last-ditch effort to steer his career in the right direction. They kept giving him chances despite the fall and other blunders. A high raw ability score earns those extra opportunities.
However, in the end, enough is enough. The Giants came to this conclusion after only a year and a half and twelve games in the regular season. The Chiefs may come to the same conclusion a year and a half and 20 games into the regular season.
For 2023, Toney participated in 26 percent of the total offensive snaps in the games he played. He had just 27 catches for 169 yards for 2023, averaging just 6.3 yards per reception.
That's not good enough to be considered a No. 1 receiver. It might not be good enough to be on the roster at all.
