Chiefs general manager breaks silence on decision to cut Kadarius Toney from squad

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The Kansas City Chiefs already have their 53-man roster set for the 2024 season, which is getting closer by the day.

Among the players cut were Louis Rees-Zammit and Kadarius Toney.

Wales arrived as a bold bet from Kansas City. The aim of using the Welsh player was to fit him in either as a running back or on special teams.

However, the franchise chose not to pursue the former rugby star and let him go. He subsequently signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

As for Toney, who had been with the team since 2022, the decision was made because of the wide receiver’s disappointing last season.

He was extremely important for KC in the Super Bowl against the Philadephia Eagles, given his crucial play on special teams.

However, the 2023 season was very frustrating – for him and for the team.

Injuries and too many drops on the field defined Toney’s final year as a Chief. In 13 games, he had 27 receptions for 169 yards and a touchdown.

Kadarius Toney’s good contribution to KC

Kadarius came by Kansas City’s facilities in the middle of 2022 season after being traded by the New York Giants.

His remarkable play during the Super Bowl LVII victory put the Chiefs in the lead: he scored a 5-yard touchdown pass.

To top it all off, he broke the record for the longest punt return in a Super Bowl, 65 yards – which produced a touchdown-drive for the team.

Brett Veach was asked about his cut and said that he has no regrets of the trade with the Giants.

“I don’t think we’re sitting here – going for a third straight Super Bowl – had we not made that trade. So from that standpoint, [I’d] do it all over again in a heartbeat.”

Mutual disappointment on both sides

Considering Toney’s bad results, the decision to cut him was one of the easiest and most expected.

“We’re certainly disappointed,” Veach told the reporters. “I think he’s disappointed. We really like the kid. I know that people could have different takes on Kadarius. But I know in this building, [we see him as] a bright kid; he’s a smart kid.”

The GM made sure to explain that Toney’s releases had nothing to do with talent.

“Sometimes you can make some bad luck turn into good luck by just doing some little things in the offseason [to] take care of your body. I think that’s a process he’s working through. It’s certainly not for a lack of talent. … If he’s able to tighten up some of the offseason stuff and get his body [right], I think he’ll go out there and make a ton of plays for another team.”

He then noted that Kadarius surely has the potential to be good in another franchise and kind of wished him good luck – in his on way.

“I do think he’ll figure it out, and I think he’ll end up making plays for a team down the road. But as far as our interaction – and working with the kid – he was actually a lot of fun to be around. [I] just hope for the kid that he can get a little good luck on his side – and stay healthy.”

NFL fans go viral with memes about Toney in 2023

Because of Toney’s numerous drops and injuries in recent seasons, many NFL fans have started to mock the wide receiver’s performances during games.

There’s even a viral video of Patrick Mahomes against the New England Patriots in which Kadarius drops a ball that ends up being recovered by the Boston franchise.