Kadarius Toney had an eventful first day of training camp as the fourth-year wide receiver played out of position. As someone who is in the hot seat, this isn’t a great sign.
On Sunday, July 21, the Kansas City Chiefs held their first full training session at St. Joseph, Missouri. This gave the chance for both rookies and veterans to train together for the first time. A turnout of almost 5,000 Chiefs fans welcomed the players, with the hype of football being around the corner.
Kadarius Toney arrived at the venue with fellow receivers Hollywood Brown and Skyy Moore. While the other two went straight for route training, the coaching team sent Toney to train with running backs Isiah Pacheco and Louis Rees-Zammit.
FOX4KC’s PJ Green shared a video of quarterback Patrick Mahomes running the speed drills with the 25-year-old wideout. In the clip, Mahomes handed the ball over to Toney, who then rushed toward the red zone as fast as he could.
#Chiefs Kadarius Toney in running back drills.. this one, a speed option drill with Patrick Mahomes.. pic.twitter.com/h94C43O4X7
— PJ Green (@ByPJGreen) July 21, 2024Green further reported about Toney being part of 7-on-7 drills with third-choice quarterback Chris Oladokun, who threw a neat slant.
#Chiefs Kadarius Toney running with the third team in 7v7.. caught a slant from Chris Oladokun..
— PJ Green (@ByPJGreen) July 21, 2024The Chiefs also provided a hint about their strategy regarding punt returns. As the new kick-off rule change applies from the 2024 season, teams are trying out specialist runners for return. Green revealed the Chiefs lined up Toney, Rees-Zammit, and second-year receiver Nikko Remigio to practice punt return later during the day.
#Chiefs Nikko Remigio, Kadarius Toney and Mecole Hardman are taking reps at punt returner.. Xavier Worthy also taking reps..
— PJ Green (@ByPJGreen) July 21, 2024Kadarius Toney’s Chiefs roster spot is not guaranteed
The Chiefs navigated the post-Tyreek Hill era by trading for Kadarius Toney from the New York Giants during the 2022 midseason. They also added Juju Smith-Schuster and Mecole Hardman to increase the competition.
Toney did not have the best first season at Arrowhead, catching just 14 passes in 7 games, but did show promise in the playoffs. In the divisional playoff round, he had 50 receiving yards and a Super Bowl-record 65-yard punt return, which handed the Chiefs the Lombardi Trophy.
2023 wasn’t better either. He played 13 games but started only two, even though Smith-Schuster left and Hardman joined the Jets but returned after half a season. Toney failed to cement his spot as the No. 1 receiver after dropping several passes, angering Mahomes. His dropped pass in the Buffalo Bills game and an offside call against him were the final nails in the coffin. The Chiefs benched him for Hardman.
Rookie Rashee Rice provided the touchdowns, along with veteran tight end Travis Kelce, who finished with the most receiving yards. Even Justin Watson completed more reps in the end.
Even though Toney is now a Two-time Super Bowl winner, his place on the Chiefs team is far from safe. During the offseason, general manager Brett Veach went shopping and signed Brown, drafted former Texas wideout Worthy, and added former ex-rugby player Rees-Zammit.
It appears that the coaches will keep a strict eye on Toney. If he wants to win another Lombardi and be part of the historic three-peat, then he must make it onto the final 53-man roster.
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