Chiefs’ interest in trading for receiver Kadarius Toney began long before NFL deadline
If Chiefs general manager Brett Veach wants a player, it turns out he will usually get him eventually.
In this case, the player is wide receiver Kadarius Toney, whom the Chiefs recently acquired in a trade with the New York Giants.
And that lesson — that Veach gets his man — was underscored by quarterback Patrick Mahomes on Wednesday.
“It was something he (Veach) approached me about during the offseason,” Mahomes said. “He’s kind of kept me in the loop about everything.
“It didn’t work then, so you kind of get locked in during the season and focused on the guys that are in the building and how can we have success with these guys, and we had a lot of success.”
While the Chiefs were unable to acquire Toney during the offseason, their fortunes changed ahead of the NFL’s trade deadline Tuesday.
“I think after the San Fran(cisco) game, he (Veach) kind of came back and said, ‘This might happen during the bye, we’re talking with them,’ and everything like that,” Mahomes said. “Luckily enough for us, it did happen, and we were able to get another talented playmaker in that receiving room.”
The Chiefs’ history of interest in their newest wide receiver goes deeper still. Toney revealed Wednesday that the Chiefs had their eye on him leading up to the 2021 NFL Draft.
“It feels good to be pretty much wanted by a team,” Toney said. “I think the history goes back probably a little further than (the offseason), like the extensive part probably before the beginning of when I came in the league, that they really wanted me here. I feel like this is a great opportunity for everybody.”
With his new team, the 6-foot, 193-pound Toney has an opportunity to contribute in one of the NFL’s top offenses, led by Mahomes.
Toney joins a capable wide receiver group in Kansas City that includes JuJu Smith-Schuster, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Mecole Hardman, Justin Watson and rookie Skyy Moore.
It’s no wonder the second-year pro looks forward to getting on the football field for his new team.
“I’m excited to be here,” Toney said.
Now, the big question is when the Chiefs might unleash their newest receiver. Could it happen as soon as Sunday night’s game against the Tennessee Titans at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium?
Toney said he is “working toward that” very scenario, but he also understands he must first grasp the complex offensive scheme pieced together by head coach Andy Reid and offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy.
In the meantime, he happily embraces whatever role the Chiefs in mind.
“I just want to come in and do what’s asked of me,” Toney said. “Whatever plays, whatever assignment I’ve got to do, I’m going to do it my hardest.”
This story was originally published November 2, 2022 at 2:41 PM.
