Chiefs GM: 'The sky is the limit for' Toney
Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach has high hopes for wide receiver Kadarius Toney next season.
"He's predominately been a guy that is a slot receiver, returner, runner - a gadget guy if you will - but I don't know if there is a limit on his game because he has a vertical game," Veach said, per ESPN's Adam Teicher.
"The sky is the limit for him," Veach added.
For the second consecutive offseason, the Chiefs will look to establish a new No. 1 wide receiver. Kansas City traded Tyreek Hill to the Miami Dolphins in a blockbuster deal in 2022 and most recently let JuJu Smith-Schuster and Mecole Hardman walk in free agency.
The Chiefs acquired Toney last October by sending a third-round pick and a sixth-round pick to the New York Giants. Toney, a 2021 first-rounder, hauled in 41 receptions for 420 yards but was unable to find the end zone during his Giants tenure. New York opted to part with the Florida product after he appeared in just 12 games due to a series of injuries.
Toney recorded 14 receptions for 171 yards and two touchdowns with the Chiefs despite missing three games due to a hamstring injury. He hauled in a five-yard touchdown to help the Chiefs secure a 38-35 win over the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII.
"We have a lot of high hopes for him. He was a first-round pick for a reason. There's a reason why we traded for him, and we felt like he was first-round talent," Veach said.
While All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce remains a favorite target in the passing game for Patrick Mahomes, the reigning MVP is optimistic that Toney can stay healthy and emerge as a key weapon in the offense.
"With Kadarius, I think you saw what the upside this last year of how special of a talent he can be," Mahomes said. "To have him in that offense another year, have him working with coach (Andy) Reid and how we practice and training camp, I think it'll have his body in the best shape that you can possibly be in to go out there and be healthy all season long."
Kansas City's receiving depth chart also consists of Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Skyy Moore, Richie James, and Justin Watson. The Chiefs selected wideout Rashee Rice in the second round last month.