The Kansas City Chiefs are 12-1 despite overcoming a myriad of challenges. They were in a similar situation just last season. Then, they had to overcome self-inflicted issues and still wound up winning their second straight Super Bowl. One of the challenges of 2023 that the Chiefs were sure to rid themselves of in 2024 is wide receiver Kadarius Toney.
Acquired in a trade with the New York Giants in October 2022, Toney lasted through training camp this season before getting cut.
He signed on with the Cleveland Browns practice squad to start the campaign. After bouncing back and forth on the practice squad, Toney saw action as a Brown for the first time in Week 11. However, two games later, after Week 14, he is once again a free agent.
Ex-Chiefs WR Kadarious Toney’s Gaffes Costly in Browns’ Loss to Steelers
Kadarius Toney Out in Cleveland
“#Browns have also waived WR Kadarius Toney,” Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot reported on X on December 10, noting it was Toney “who muffed the punt and committed the taunting penalty” in Cleveland’s Week 14 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Toney’s taunting penalty came first, occurring in the fourth quarter coming on a fair catch. The call set the Browns back 15 yards, though Jameis Winston guided them down the field for a touchdown to cut into the Steelers’ lead.
Kadarius Toney made it 4 plays into Week 14 before costing the Browns 15 yards pic.twitter.com/h2PRshWREB
— Christian D'Andrea (@TrainIsland) December 8, 2024
Then came the muffed punt after which a distraught Toney could be seen being consoled by his Browns coaches. The Browns lost to the Steelers 27-14.
Toney logged five snaps on offense against the Steelers, per Pro Football Focus, but was not targeted. He did return four punts for 44 yards and was credited with a tackle for his stop following the muffed return.
The Steelers led by the final tally when Toney fumbled, allowing them to run out the clock.
WHAT A SPECIAL TEAMS PLAY‼️
📲 Stream on NFL+: https://t.co/COxKRnr6Mc pic.twitter.com/GpQ6OLNOkp
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 8, 2024
It is an all-too-familiar story for Toney. He will now look to find a new team to join for the final four weeks of the season if not longer.
Kadarius Toney Has Flamed Out With 3 Teams
The Giants selected Toney with the No. 20 overall pick in the 2021 draft. Even then, Toney’s on-field moments were highlighted by gaffes rather than the splash plays he was drafted to make and has flashed.
2021: Saints Week- #NYGiants trailing 21-10 in 4Q, they needed to get to work. We didn't get to see much of it, but there were flashes of the talent Toney had & what he could have been. However a drop along the way would force a punt back to the Saints #Giants100 pic.twitter.com/qqsTFX0FbX
— BigBlueVCR (@BigBlueVCR) December 6, 2024
Rashee Rice and Travis Kelce were Nos. 1 and 2 on the Chiefs in drops when the 2023 season concluded.
Toney logged the highest drop rate among receivers and the fourth-highest rate in the league.
The Chiefs have revamped their receiver room, even in the absence of Rice. Veteran DeAndre Hopkins and rookie first-round pick Xavier Worthy are doing the heavy lifting on the perimeter for Patrick Mahomes.
Along with Kelce, the emergence of Noah Gray at tight end has helped to offset the loss of Rice to a season-ending knee injury.
The Chiefs are still having to navigate new challenges on a weekly basis.
That includes self-inflicted issues like penalties and the turnovers that led to their lone blemish in the standings. Their sights are set on becoming the first team in NFL history to win three straight titles. Eliminating the mistakes is essential.
Main Photo: Denny Medley-Imagn Images
