Chiefs set to split with Kadarius Toney after Xavier Worthy’s arrival as they decline his $14.4 million 5th year option

The fifth-year option of Kadarius Toney's rookie contract is projected to be worth $14.4 million.

Chiefs set to split with Kadarius Toney after Xavier Worthy’s arrival as they decline his $14.4 million 5th year option

Kadarius Toney and Xavier Worthy (Via Imago/247 Sports)

It appears the Kansas City Chiefs will soon be parting ways with wide receiver Kadarius Toney as they declined to pick up the fifth option of his rookie contract. Following the 2024 campaign, the wide receiver will be hitting the free agency market. 

A source close to ESPN’s Adam Teicher shared that the reigning Super Bowl champions are not picking up the fifth-year option worth $14.4 million of Toney’s contract, as he enters the final year with the Chiefs. When the receiver was traded to the Chiefs from the New York Giants, he barely made any plays and finished with 230 yards and three touchdowns. 

But he sure contributed to their Super Bowl victories, especially Super Bowl LVII against the Philadelphia Eagles. Toney received great recognition for the five-yard touchdown catch, which put the Chiefs in the lead at 28-27, and then, the 65-yard punt return. 

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Unfortunately, his regular season image presided him through the 2023 season which noted several blunders by the receiver and ended up with a disappointing season. In the 13 games he played, he only posted  27 catches for 169 yards and one touchdown. 

While the Chiefs possessed the weakest receiving squad in 2023, they have made sure not to repeat the mistake. Given, that they signed Marquise Brown in free agency, who already started to build good chemistry with quarterback Patrick Mahomes, and drafted Xavier Worthy in the NFL draft. 

How Kadarius Toney struggled with injuries through 2023 season

Although Chiefs GM Brett Veach and head coach Andy Reid both expressed their desire to have the receiver through the 2024 season, they appeared concerned over one thing. And that’s the “injury bug” as they called it, which Toney suffered in 2023. 

I don't think we ever stopped believing in him. I think people around the building like him. It's the injury bug. Hopefully, he gets some luck on his side.
GM Brett Veach said ahead of the 2024 NFL draft
Kadarius Toney
Kadarius Toney (via Imago)

After his performance at the Super Bowl LVII, the Chiefs had high hopes in Toney in 2023 but his game went off from the training camp– which he missed after he tore a meniscus fielding kicks. Injuries plagued him throughout the season to the extent that he was on the injury list for 19 out of the 21 games, including the postseason.

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