Newly acquired receiver Kadarius Toney didn’t know why things didn’t work out with the New York Giants. But he’s not focusing on the past. He’s focusing on his future with the Kansas City Chiefs.
That might be as soon as Sunday night when the Chiefs play the Tennessee Titans at Arrowhead Stadium. Toney is planning on playing despite having only a short time to get ready with his new team.
“I’m working towards that,” Toney said Wednesday. “I’m very eager to go out there and ready to be the player I am.
“I just want to come in and do what’s asked of me. Whatever plays or whatever assignment I got to do, I’m going to do it my hardest.”
Toney hasn’t played since Week 2 as he has been out with a hamstring injury. But now healthy, he could contribute — possibly on special teams returning kicks or punts in place of rookie Skyy Moore, who has fumbled two punts this season.
“I like returning them but whatever my role is that’s what I’m going to do,” Toney said. “I can’t really say I’m this or that, but whatever’s available I’m going to take advantage.”
Toney, who was acquired for a third- and sixth-round pick, has a little bit of a taste of the Chiefs offense. Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka previously served as Chiefs quarterback coach.
“We’ll try to work him in,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said of Toney. “He’s a smart kid. He’s been with us a couple days so we’ve had a chance to talk to him. He picks things up fairly easy. He was with Kafka, too, so a little bit of the plays and terminology is familiar to him. He has a foundation.”
The 6-foot, 193-pound Toney, who played collegiately at Florida, was drafted by the Giants with the 20th overall pick in the first round in 2021. As a rookie, he caught 39 passes for 420 yards. The Chiefs had interest in drafting Toney and were interest in acquiring him this offseason.
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes said Toney is “super excited” to be a Chief and it already shows.
“You can tell how much he’s ready to get out there and play,” Mahomes said. “Everybody sees the physical gifts he has. He’s fast, he’s bigger than I thought, and he’s done a good job of whenever he catches the ball being able to make people miss in space. So, we’re excited to get him into this culture and into this team and see what he can do in this offense.”
And likewise, Toney is eager to work with Mahomes.
“Seeing him from the TV, I know he commanded the huddle, he commanded his offense,” Toney said. “So, I know at the end of the day, I’ve got to make sure I’m disciplined enough to know where I’ve got to be and when I got to be there and just let him do the rest because I know his talent. He can put it wherever you want. I just need to be where I need to be.”
