TURNED DOWN
Chiefs prepare to move on from one of Patrick Mahomes’ offensive weapons with $14.4m contract decision
The Chiefs have added numerous wide receivers since winning Super Bowl LVIII
TWO Super Bowl rings may not be enough to save the job of one of the Kansas City Chiefs' wideouts.
The writing appears to be on the wall for soon-to-be fourth-year receiver and former first-round Draft pick Kadarius Toney, 25.
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Having been left out of their active roster throughout the 2023 postseason, including Kansas City's Super Bowl LVIII win against the San Francisco 49ers, the team recently declined his fifth-year option.
This option would have cost the team $14.4 million in 2025.
As such, Toney will become a free agent following the 2024 season should he play out the remaining year of his rookie deal.
Whether or not he makes it that far as a member of the Chiefs, led by quarterback Patrick Mahomes, remains to be seen.
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After being listed as inactive through the Playoffs with an injury, Toney took to Instagram on the day of the AFC Championship to push back at the suggestion he was injured.
"I'm not hurt," he repeatedly stated during his expletive-filled appearance, as per the New York Post.
Fast forward to Super Bowl week, and Toney retracted his comments on NFL Network.
"I never attacked the Chiefs," he said, claiming some of his comments had been in response to New York Giants fans communicating with him.
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"I wanted to go out there and get my message across as far as my injury, but I shouldn't have done that at the end of the day," Toney went on to say.
"I'm a man, and I can accept my mistakes, just like I accept my wins.
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"But I'm moving past that right now because we're here now and we're trying to win."
Toney wound up missing the Super Bowl, ending what had been a disappointing first full season in Missouri, having been acquired via a trade from the Giants during their Super Bowl run in 2022.
In 13 games, two of which he started, Toney combined with Mahomes for 169 receiving yards and one touchdown on 27 receptions.
He also had five drops, behind only Travis Kelce and Rashee Rice who had 172 combined receptions.
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Toney's future with the team grew increasingly uncertain as the offseason played out.
Wideout Marquise Brown was added in free agency on a one-year deal which could net him as much as $11 million.
Fellow veteran receiver Jacob Copeland was also signed along with former Welsh rugby star Louis Rees-Zammit who may also end up playing running back.
They went on to draft speedy Texas receiver Xavier Worthy 28th overall, while also adding undrafted rookies Phillip Brooks, and Reggie Brown.
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For the time being, Toney remains a member of the Chiefs, with voluntary OTAs set to begin on May 20.
Their mandatory minicamp will commence on June 11.
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