NFL Rumors: Kadarius Toney Visits Seahawks After Being Released by Chiefs
September 3, 2024
Free-agent wide receiver Kadarius Toney visited with the Seattle Seahawks, according to ESPN's Field Yates.
The Kansas City Chiefs released Toney in August, ending his time there after a season and a half. General manager Brett Veach said the Chiefs "really liked the kid" but alluded to what might have been a lack of commitment to his offseason routine.
"Sometimes you can make some bad luck turn into good luck by just doing some little things in the offseason [to] take care of your body,'' the GM told reporters." I think that's a process he's working through. It's certainly not for a lack of talent. ... If he's able to tighten up some of the offseason stuff and get his body [right], I think he'll go out there and make a ton of plays for another team."
It was obviously telling when the New York Giants traded Toney to Kansas City in October 2022, less than two full years after it had selected him 20th overall in the NFL draft. Still, his highlight reel left a lot of people hopeful of what he'd do in a Patrick Mahomes-led offense.
Toney ultimately caught just 41 passes for 340 yards and three touchdowns in 20 regular-season games. He did at least write his name into franchise history with his touchdown grab to help give Kansas City a 28-27 lead in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl LVII. His 65-yard punt return minutes later set up the next score.
It's a lot harder to buy into Toney's upside now than it was when he joined the Chiefs. If his potential failed to materialize on a Super Bowl contender that boasts the greatest quarterback of his era (Mahomes) and a brilliant offensive play-caller (Andy Reid), then it probably won't happen anywhere else.
Still, Veach isn't ready to throw in the towel on Toney turning his career around on a new team, and it only takes one other GM to share that optimism.
In the case of the Seahawks, they're looking more to fill out their receiver room and wouldn't expect a new addition to occupy a big role straight away. Seattle knows what to expect from DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, while 2023 first-rounder Jaxon Smith-Njigba could take a big step forward in Year 2.
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