NFL Rumors: Chiefs Decline Kadarius Toney’s $14.4M 5th-Year Contract Option

Wide receiver Kadarius Toney will become a free agent following the 2024 season since the Kansas City

Chiefs have chosen not to exercise their fifth-year option on his rookie deal, as reported by ESPN’s Adam

Teicher.

OverTheCap estimated that Toney’s fifth-year option would be worth $14.4 million.

In the 2021 NFL Draft, Toney was chosen by the New York Giants with the 20th overall pick. In ten

games, he caught 39 passes for 420 yards while missing seven because of injury.

In 2022, the Giants welcomed a new management team headed by general manager Joe Schoen and

head coach Brian Daboll. Under Daboll, Toney lost his way and saw little action; eventually, he caught

just two receptions for a total of 0 yards before he was sent to the Chiefs in October via trade.

With 230 yards and three touchdowns in seven games during the regular season, Toney did not

contribute much for the Chiefs.

But he will always be associated with two memorable plays from Super Bowl LVII: a 65-yard punt return

that set up a touchdown for Skyy Moore and a five-yard touchdown catch that helped the Chiefs take a

28-27 lead. Philadelphia Eagles were defeated by Kansas City 38–35.

That gave Toney hope for 2023, particularly since the Chiefs had serious doubts about their starting

quarterback going into the season. Toney, though, had a dismal third season, catching just 27 catches in

13 games for 169 yards and a touchdown.

His 2023 campaign was initially noted for a number of errors, such as a ball that was dropped that

resulted in a pick-six by Brian Branch during a Week 1 loss to the Detroit Lions, 21-20. Additionally, he

lined up offside to deny a miraculous opportunity to score the game-winning touchdown against the

Buffalo Bills after catching a Travis Kelce lateral. That was destroyed, and the Chiefs suffered a 20-17

loss.

However, an odd circumstance arose during the playoffs.

Due to what the team described as hip and ankle issues, Toney was out for the final three regular-season

games as well as the first two postseason games.

He was then sidelined for the AFC Championship Game against the Baltimore Ravens due to injuries or

personal matters. His first kid, a baby girl, was the reason of his personal motivations.

With reference to the illnesses, Toney used Instagram Live. and declared he was unharmed.

In a Zoom call with reporters on January 30, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid revealed that Toney was

really injured.

He has, of course, been listed as injured. By no means is that part made up,” Reid remarked. “He is been

working through some things and he will be back out there.”

Then, during Super Bowl Opening Night on NFL Network (via ESPN.com), Toney said that his remarks

on Instagram Live were truly meant towards New York Giants supporters, with whom he had a

somewhat strained relationship ever since the trade.

“I never made remarks about the Chiefs or launched an attack on them. I was talking about the Giants

supporters and those who left comments on my post, not on my live recording, so you would not even be

aware of their presence. However, I should not have been referring to them in that way. All I wanted to

do was walk outside. In regards to my injury, I just wanted to convey my message, but in the end, I

should not have done that. As a man, I am able to embrace both my victories and my mistakes. I am just

putting things behind me now. Our aim is to compete and secure victory in the Super Bowl.”

In the end, Toney did not play in the Super Bowl, which the Chiefs won in overtime, 25-22.

When Toney steps onto the field, it will either be a feast or a famine. The Chiefs adore him and know he

can perform on the greatest stage in the NFL.

brilliance, as seen by general manager Brett Veach’s April statement to reporters that Toney was

“probably our most talented wideout right now.” But he has also occasionally faced great difficulty.

Ultimately, Kansas City declined to exercise his option, which means that Toney’s time with the Chiefs

may be coming to an end.