Two months following his absence as a healthy scratch for Super Bowl LVIII, Kadarius Toney has received a strong vote of confidence from Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, indicating that the wide receiver remains an integral part of the reigning champions’ future.
“Kadarius is arguably one of the most talented guys we have on the team,” Reid conveyed to reporters on Monday.
“It’s just a matter of being healthy and being able to stay on the field, and you always hear about the reliability, accountability, all those things that go into it. And so I’m expecting him to come back ripping and ready to go. It’s great that he’s … working with Pat and putting the work in. … Listen, we like Kadarius. It’s just a matter of having him on the field.”
Reid’s statement followed revelations from quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who disclosed that Toney was among the Chiefs players who recently participated in private workouts in Texas in preparation for the 2024 season.
Kansas City Chiefs Optimistic About Kadarius Toney’s Role Amidst Setbacks
These remarks certainly suggest a positive outlook on Toney’s future with the team, despite a challenging 2023 season marked by on-field setbacks and a late-year controversy surrounding his injury status, where the former New York Giants first-round pick seemingly accused the Chiefs of misrepresenting his health.
Toney, who is 25 years old, last took the field in Week 15 of the 2023 season, accumulating 27 receptions for 169 yards in 13 games. However, there’s optimism that his role may expand in the upcoming season, especially with fellow wideout Rashee Rice currently entangled in legal matters following his involvement in a recent high-speed six-car collision.
Acquired via trade from the Giants during the 2022 season, Toney played a pivotal role in Kansas City’s Super Bowl victory that year. He scored a crucial touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles and set a record for the longest punt return in Super Bowl history. Prior to his tenure with the Chiefs, Toney appeared in just 12 games over one and a half seasons with the New York Giants.