Report: Chiefs decline Toney's 5th-year option
The Kansas City Chiefs declined to exercise the fifth-year option on wide receiver Kadarius Toney's rookie contract, a source told ESPN's Adam Teicher.
Toney will become an unrestricted free agent after the 2024 season, as Kansas City chose not to pay the fully guaranteed $14.4-million salary for 2025.
The 25-year-old was selected with the 20th overall pick by the New York Giants in the 2021 daft. He played in 12 games with the Giants, recording 41 receptions for 420 yards and no touchdowns.
Kansas City acquired Toney from the Giants in October 2022. The 6-foot, 193-pounder played a crucial role in the Chiefs' Super Bowl LVII victory, hauling in a touchdown pass and returning a punt 65 yards to help set up the go-ahead score in the fourth quarter.
Several ailments have caused Toney to miss time throughout his Kansas City tenure. He was listed on the team's injury report in 19 of 21 games last season, including playoff matchups. He claimed in January that the Chiefs were putting him on the report despite being healthy. Toney apologized for the outburst but did not retract his claims.
In one of the most memorable plays of his 2023 season, Toney appeared to score the winning touchdown against the Buffalo Bills after Travis Kelce delivered a lateral to him late in the December contest. However, the play was wiped out after Toney was penalized for lining up offside, and Kansas City lost 20-17.
Toney has 430 total scrimmage yards and four total touchdowns in 20 games with the Chiefs.
General manager Brett Veach and head coach Andy Reid indicated recently that Toney remains in the team's plans entering next season.
"I don't think we ever stopped believing in him," Veach said prior to the draft. "I think people around the building like him. It's the injury bug. Hopefully he gets some luck on his side and can stay healthy and can be the player that he was at Florida and the player that we've seen in spurts here."
The reigning Super Bowl champions are seeking improved production from their receiving corps. The Chiefs traded up in the draft to select Xavier Worthy, who posted the fastest 40-yard dash in NFL combine history. Kansas City also signed Marquise Brown in free agency.