Wide receiver Kadarius Toney had a remarkable performance in Super Bowl LVII, making crucial plays for the Chiefs that helped them secure a victory over the Eagles. However, in the start of the 2023 season, Toney did not have the same positive impact. He dropped three passes, including one from Patrick Mahomes that ultimately led to a game-tying touchdown for the Lions. This emphasized just how much the Chiefs missed their injured tight end, Travis Kelce. Coach Andy Reid acknowledged that the drops were unusual for the team and emphasized the need to address any catching issues before their next game.
Toney’s limited participation in the team’s summer work due to a knee injury may have been a contributing factor to his performance. Nevertheless, Mahomes expressed his belief in Toney’s abilities and trusts that he will improve in the coming weeks. Mahomes highlighted Toney’s past success in crucial moments and expects him to continue making important catches to win games for the team.
While the absence of Kelce had an impact on the Chiefs, they will rely on strong performances from Toney and their other wide receivers regardless of his presence on the field. However, Thursday night’s game revealed that there is work to be done in this regard. The team needs to address and improve its wide receiver performance to ensure success moving forward.