Chiefs general manager Brett Veach wouldn’t change a thing about his decision to trade for wide receiver Kadarius Toney despite the way things ended.
Kansas City released the 2021 Giants first-round pick earlier this week after a stint in the Midwest that was highlighted more by injuries and dropped passes than big game moments.
Toney did play a crucial part in the Chiefs’ Super Bowl win over the Eagles in 2023 by scoring a touchdown and returning a punt 65 yards to set up another TD for Kansas City.
That alone has made Veach happy they made the move during the 2022 season.
“I don’t think we’re sitting here going for a third straight Super Bowl [championship] had we not made that trade,” Veach said, according to ESPN. “So, from that standpoint, we’d do it all over again in a heartbeat.”
Veach said the organization was “disappointed” that they were never able to develop Toney, who played part of his first two seasons in the Big Apple before the trade to the Chiefs.
Toney appeared in 20 regular season games with the Chiefs and started in five.
The Chiefs GM did speak highly of Toney despite the split.
“We really liked the kid, and I know that people have different takes on Kadarius, but I know in this building he’s a bright kid, he’s a smart kid,” Veach said. “When you look back on it, some of this stuff is a stroke of bad luck in regards to some of the injuries you can’t control. Like walking out the first day of training camp last year and tearing his [meniscus]. I mean, that was something that was just unfortunate.”
Toney also had a bumpy time in New York, and Veach did acknowledge that there were some issues with the University of Florida product, pointing to his offseason workout habits possibly playing a part in why things didn’t work out with his second NFL team.
“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,” Veach said.” 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.”
During his first three seasons in the NFL, Toney has played in 32 games and recorded 82 receptions for 760 yards, three receiving touchdowns and two scores on the ground.
