The AFC Championship game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Baltimore Ravens is shaping up to be an epic showdown. Both teams have star quarterbacks in Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson, who have already made incredible plays in the game. This matchup has the potential to be one for the history books. However, there is one notable absence from the game: Kadarius Toney.
For the third time in these playoffs, Toney has been ruled inactive. Ever since his infamous offensive-offsides penalty in Week 14, he has been active for only one game for the Chiefs. In that game, he dropped a crucial pass that led to an interception return for a touchdown. Toney has been dealing with injuries, including a hip-ankle injury, and has also cited personal reasons for his absence in the AFC Championship game – the birth of his newborn daughter on Saturday night.
Despite his talent, Toney’s time with the Chiefs has been disappointing. The team traded for him last season, giving up a third-round pick, but he has failed to live up to expectations. The New York Giants, who drafted Toney in the first round in 2021, also gave up on him after less than two seasons due to concerns about his professionalism.
The Chiefs were hoping to add explosiveness to their wide receiver corps by acquiring Toney. They believed that their organization could help him reach his full potential. However, Toney’s performance this season has been underwhelming. He has caught only 27 passes, dropped five, and had several games with minimal contributions. As a result, the Chiefs listed him as inactive for their final three regular-season games and all of their playoff games.
Releasing Toney during the offseason would result in a $2.5 million cap hit for the Chiefs, but it seems like they have no other choice. Toney’s recent outburst on social media, criticizing his own team right before the big game, reflects poorly on his character and professionalism. If he is not actually injured, then he has no one to blame but himself for his absence from the lineup.
It’s clear that Toney’s time with the Chiefs has been a disappointment. Unless there is a significant change in his attitude and work ethic, it’s unlikely that any team will be willing to take a chance on him. The Chiefs must have a serious conversation with Toney, their coaching staff, and front office to determine if there is a way to salvage his career. If not, it’s time for the Chiefs to move on from Toney and find a player who can make a positive impact on their offense.
