The NFL offseason is divided into phases, and the spring's latest chapter commenced last week with the start of organized team activities (OTAs) around the league. After watching their peers' OTAs get underway, the Kansas City Chiefs will begin their next offseason workouts on Tuesday, officially marking their next stop toward the 2025 regular season.
The current OTA period has seen opportunities handed out around the league to hungry veterans willing to do what it takes to crack a roster. Job openings are limited, though, and failing to secure an opportunity in the coming weeks could see various free agents left jobless in 2025.
Perhaps that's why one certain free agent is doing whatever it takes to get back into the Chiefs' good graces.
Former Chiefs WR Kadarius Toney Trying to Make Amends With KC
Back on May 15, free-agent wide receiver Kadarius Toney appeared on the "New Rory and Mal" podcast to talk about his NFL career, including his time with the Chiefs. During the interview, the polarizing playmaker sounded like he was ready to make amends with the Chiefs with his praise for quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
"The moment I realized that, like one practice... The man threw a crazy pass. I'm like, 'yeah, he's different,'" Toney said about his instant chemistry with Mahomes. "I ain't never seen nobody doing like. They're not even playing an overall video, and it was on the money. But our chemistry started when I first got there."
"The coaches kind of made it an emphasis, like, oh yeah, we got to make sure y'all put y'all time to make sure everything kind of on point, because we need you right now."
Toney's praise for Mahomes and the Chiefs is surprising based on how his time in Kansas City ended. The former Florida Gator was traded to the Chiefs from the New York Giants ahead of the 2022 trade deadline, but only played 20 regular-season games throughout his stint due to injury.
After missing the end of the 2023 regular season due to ankle and hip injuries, Toney raised eyebrows during that postseason when he accused the Chiefs of lying about his ailments. Although he later said the Giants were the alleged target of his social media rant, the damage had been done at that point, culminating in the former 2021 first-rounder's release before the 2024 campaign.
As much as Toney likely wants to reconnect with the best quarterback in the sport, the Chiefs likely won't have much interest in a reunion. Toney's injury history and off-field behavior cancel whatever upside he may have, and it's fair to say he's tough to trust after playing with three teams in only four seasons despite only turning 26 in January.
It also doesn't help that Toney barely got on the field last season, playing only 17 offensive snaps across three games with the Cleveland Browns. His controversial side reared its head when he received a 15-yard taunting penalty in a Week 14 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, playing a role in his release shortly after.
A player can have all the talent in the world, but it won't matter much if their attitude does more harm than good. If Toney wants to keep carving out a lengthy NFL career, he must prove he can be a team player before the Chiefs or any other team gives him another opportunity.