Kadarius Toney’s journey in the NFL has taken a new turn as he officially joined the Cleveland Browns, starting on their practice squad, according to reports from NFL Network. This comes after the talented yet inconsistent wide receiver was waived by the Kansas City Chiefs before the season began. Toney had the option to select among several teams, including the Seattle Seahawks, but ultimately chose the Browns, who are in need of offensive reinforcements following a significant 33-17 loss to the Dallas Cowboys in Week 1.
The Browns are known for taking chances on talented players, and Toney certainly possesses the skills that could benefit the team. However, capitalizing on his potential has proven to be a challenge. The New York Giants initially drafted Toney as the 20th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, and while he showed glimpses of brilliance, he was traded to Kansas City for a couple of draft picks when the team decided to move on from the previous administration’s selections.
During his stint with the Chiefs, Toney did have standout moments, including a pivotal punt return and a touchdown reception during the 2023 Super Bowl against the Philadelphia Eagles. Nevertheless, he struggled to maintain a consistent performance on a week-to-week basis, even while playing alongside stars like Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. In the 2022 season, he recorded 14 receptions for 171 yards and two touchdowns, followed by 27 catches for 169 yards and one touchdown in the previous season. Notably, he was not activated for any of the Chiefs’ four playoff victories in their Super Bowl run, which raised concerns about his reliability.
Chiefs general manager Brett Veach expressed confidence in the team’s decision to trade for Toney, stating he believes the trade was integral to their playoff success. Toney’s move to Cleveland was not influenced by financial aspects, as his salary is guaranteed for the season, and beginning on the practice squad will help him gradually return to play.
In Cleveland, Toney is expected to compete for the No. 3 wide recevier spot, as Amari Cooper and Jerry Jeudy are currently the primary targets. The offense is facing uncertainty, especially with tight end David Njoku dealing with an ankle injury. Quarterback Deshaun Watson’s performance has also come under scrutiny, particularly following the week one loss, compounded by legal troubles stemming from a new sexual assault lawsuit filed against him. The Browns are set to face the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 2 as both teams look to avoid starting the season with two consecutive losses.