Kansas City Chiefs' Super Bowl LVII Star Kadarius Toney's Future in Doubt for 2024 Season

Could Kansas City Chiefs' Super Bowl star Kadarius Toney be cut from the team?

Kadarius Toney played a key role in the Chiefs' 38-35 win over the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII on February 12, 2023. However, his spot on the team for the 2024 season is uncertain as the Chiefs prepare to finalize their roster.

In their preseason finale, the Chiefs lost 34-21 to the Chicago Bears, with Toney catching two passes for 26 yards. Chiefs' coach Andy Reid was asked about Toney’s performance during training camp and preseason.

“We know what he can do,” Reid said. “He’s a talented player, but he’s in a tough battle to make the team. We’ve never doubted his talent.”

In Super Bowl LVII, Toney set a record with a 65-yard punt return, which helped the Chiefs score a crucial touchdown. He also caught a touchdown pass, contributing significantly to the win. Despite his success in the 2022 season, Toney did not play in the playoffs for the 2023 season.

Throughout the 2023 season, Toney had 27 catches for 169 yards, one touchdown, and gained 31 yards from 11 rushing attempts. However, his performance dropped off after a December 17 win over the New England Patriots, and he missed the last seven games of the season. Toney even criticized the Chiefs on social media, claiming his injury designations were misleading, though he later clarified his comments were meant for Giants fans.

Although Toney was removed from the injury report before Super Bowl LVIII, he didn’t play in the Chiefs' 25-22 win against the San Francisco 49ers on February 11. In his last regular-season game, Toney caught two passes for 5 yards but also had a crucial drop that led to an interception.

Speculation grew that Toney might be cut due to these issues. The Chiefs have until 3 p.m. CDT Tuesday to reduce their roster from 90 to 53 players. Toney’s chances of making the final roster are further challenged by his early camp injury.

Toney, an All-State quarterback at Blount High School in Prichard, Alabama, won the Alabama Sports Writers Association’s Class 6A Back of the Year Award in 2016. He had a standout high school career, throwing for 6,498 yards and 69 touchdowns and rushing for 1,790 yards and 31 touchdowns.

At Florida, Toney transitioned to wide receiver, catching 70 passes for 984 yards and 10 touchdowns, and making significant contributions as a rusher and punt returner. The New York Giants drafted him 20th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. After playing in 12 of the Giants' 24 games, he was traded to the Chiefs for draft picks.

In 20 games with the Chiefs, Toney has matched his previous reception count with the Giants, totaling 41 catches for 340 yards and three touchdowns. He also has 90 yards and one touchdown on 16 rushing attempts and 16 punt returns.

In the playoffs, Toney has had seven catches for 50 yards and one touchdown, along with a 14-yard run and six punt returns averaging 18.7 yards.