Chiefs Release Polarizing Former Starter: Report

The Kansas City Chiefs have reportedly cut wide receiver Kadarius Toney ahead of the upcoming 2024 NFL season, a source with knowledge of the situation confirmed to ESPN 's Adam Schefter on Tuesday (August 27).

"Source: Chiefs are releasing WR Kadarius Toney," Schefter wrote on his X account.

Toney, 25, a former first-round pick for the New York Giants in 2021, experienced highs and lows during his two seasons with the Chiefs. The former University of Florida standout recorded a 65-yard punt return -- the longest in Super Bowl history -- and a touchdown reception in Kansas City's Super Bowl LVII win against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Toney also experienced several crucial drops during the 2023 season, as well as being called offsides on a would-be go-ahead touchdown in a loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 14, before being ruled inactive for the Chiefs' Super Bowl LVIII win against the San Francisco 49ers in February. Kansas City's reported decision to cut Toney came one day after it re-acquired free agent wide receiver Juju Smith-Schuster on Monday (August 27).

Smith-Schuster, 27, who was recently cut by the New England Patriots, spent the 2022 season with the Chiefs, recording a team-best seven receptions, as well as 53 yards in Super Bowl LVII, as well as 78 receptions for 933 yards and three touchdowns during the regular 2022 season, ranking second behind All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce in yards and catches. The Chiefs are coming off back-to-back Super Bowl victories and three in the last five years.