The Kansas City Chiefs are preparing their team for next Thursday’s matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, with new players replacing departed talent due to roster cuts.
Chiefs general manager Brett Veach addressed the decision to release wide receiver Kadarius Toney earlier during Thursday’s Zoom press conference.
“I mean, look, I think we’re certainly disappointed. I think he’s disappointed. We really like the kid, and I know that people could have different takes on Kadarius, but I know in this building, he’s a bright kid.” said Veach. “He’s a smart kid. I think when you look back on it, some of the stuff is, is a stroke of bad luck in regards to some of the injuries you can’t control, like walking out the first day of training camp last year and tearing his MCL.”
Toney was hampered by multiple injuries, including knee surgery at the start of training camp, finishing the 2023 season with 169 yards and a touchdown on 27 receptions.
“I mean, that was just unfortunate. Some of the things I think that we talked about were sometimes you can make some bad luck turn into good luck by just doing some little things in the offseason, such as taking care of your body,” said Veach. “I think that’s a process he’s working through, and again, it’s certainly not for a lack of talent, and that’s a situation where I think when you move on from players like that, I think everyone feels disappointed.”
Toney played 13 games, starting two last season, dealing with ankle injuries and a torn MCL from training camp.
“As far as our relationship with the kid, I really like the kid. I don’t think that we’ve seen the end of him, and I think he’ll have a chance,” said Veach. “I think if he’s able to tighten up, you know, 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.”
Toney was traded to the Chiefs from the New York Giants on October 27, 2022, in exchange for a third and a sixth-round pick in the 2023 NFL draft. Veach fielded questions regarding possible regrets for making the deal to acquire the speedy receiver.
“I don’t think we’re sitting here going for a third straight Super Bowl. Had we not made that trade,” said Veach. “So from that standpoint, do it all over again in a heartbeat. I think it’s always disappointing when a player’s tenure ends in that situation, meaning you will have players that the age catches up to them. You’ll have players where maybe it’s a really serious injury, and then you’ll have players that you move on from where the talent just wasn’t there. So I think when you have to move on from a player, and the full product, or the finished product, or untapping all that talent wasn’t realized, there’s a disappointment.”
The Chiefs added JuJu Smith-Schuster earlier in the week, possibly as an indication that they weren’t planning to move forward with Toney in 2024.