The Kansas City Chiefs may hold the record for the longest punt return in Super Bowl history, thanks to their brief but memorable partnership with wide receiver Kadarius Toney. However, it’s clear they didn’t get the long-term contributor they hoped for when they acquired the former New York Giants first-round pick via trade.
Toney, now released by the Chiefs, has struggled to find consistent success in the NFL outside of Kansas City. In a recent podcast appearance, he offered praise for quarterback Patrick Mahomes, calling him the best in the league and recounting a jaw-dropping throw from practice.
“The moment I realized, like in one practice, he threw a jump pass—some crazy pass,” Toney said. “I wish I had it on film. It was wild. I’d never seen anything like it. It was like something out of a video game, and it was right on target.”
While the comments seemed complimentary, some fans viewed them as a thinly veiled attempt to get back in the good graces of head coach Andy Reid and the Chiefs organization. But given how things ended, that seems unlikely.
Toney was traded to Kansas City during his second year in the league after failing to meet expectations with the Giants. Despite the Chiefs’ best efforts to get him on track, Toney never established himself as a reliable part of Mahomes’ receiving corps. Costly drops, tipped passes that led to turnovers, and off-field distractions marred his time in Kansas City.
Following a brief and unsuccessful stint with the Cleveland Browns—and ongoing off-field issues—Toney’s NFL future looks uncertain. His electrifying Super Bowl punt return will be remembered, but it might be the last notable highlight of a career that has struggled to live up to its early promise.
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