Ex-Giant Kadarius Toney fitting right in with Kansas City: ‘I feel like I’m right where I need to be’
It’s precisely that trait that might help the Chiefs navigate what could be a difficult stretch for their offense.
KANSAS CITY — Of all the things that Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid appreciates about Brett Veach, tops on the list might be this: The general manager is never content, constantly searching for ways to add depth and improve the roster.
It’s precisely that trait that might help the Chiefs navigate what could be a difficult stretch for their offense.
They were already missing Mecole Hardman to an abdominal injury Sunday, when the Jaguars showed up at Arrowhead Stadium. Then they lost JuJu Smith-Schuster to a vicious helmet-to-helmet blow from Jacksonville safety Andre Cisco. And in a span of days, they were left without two of their best wide receivers for what could be a while.
But before all that happened, back when it appeared the Chiefs had plenty of talent surrounding Patrick Mahomes, Veach made a trade with the Giants for wide receiver Kadarius Toney. The 2021 first-round pick flamed out in New York, unable to stay healthy or make an impact when he was on the field, but was getting a fresh chance in Kansas City.
In just his second game Sunday, he ran for 33 yards, caught four passes for 57 yards and scored his first NFL touchdown.
“Brett texted me whenever he knew it was kind of done,” Mahomes said of the trade. “He’s always looking to add great players. We had competition in the room, and we have a lot of great receivers in that room, and we have a lot of great ones on this team. But whenever you have more competition, it brings out the best in everybody.”
The Chiefs fully expect Hardman and Smith-Schuster to return at some point; the former could be back Sunday night, when they visit the Los Angeles Chargers. But in the meantime, Toney is ready to step into their void with his new team.
“Yeah,” he said Sunday night, “I feel like I’m right where I need to be.”
