NFL Insider: Chiefs Still Love Kadarius Toney, But Have Veteran WR Options Remaining

Even after Kadarius Toney's disastrous Week 1, the Chiefs are reportedly still high on Toney. However, one NFL insider notes that KC is keeping WR options on the table.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Kadarius Toney had a nightmarish start to the 2023 NFL season, with multiple game-changing drops including a pass that turned into a Detroit Lions pick-six. After missing all of training camp, Toney never looked comfortable against Detroit, despite the fact that he created more separation than the rest of the Chiefs' pass-catchers. Now, some around the NFL world are questioning Toney's role in Kansas City.

ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler took another look at Toney's path to KC and reassessed how the Chiefs view the former first-round draft pick:

Here's the Chiefs' thinking on receiver Kadarius Toney, who struggled mightily Thursday night in the season opener against Detroit. When they traded for Toney at the deadline last year, they considered the move low-risk; he was in the second year of a rookie deal with major upside as a player. He helped them win a Super Bowl with some electric playmaking, and Kansas City entered the season believing Toney can be a featured player -- possibly even a No. 1-type receiver down the road. The organization sees him as a special talent.

But the Chiefs weren't necessarily counting on that, especially since Toney had injury concerns coming out of New York. The Chiefs did a deep dive on him before trading for him, and they are hoping for the best but also have room to pivot. Here's guessing Toney will get more chances to find his footing after a knee injury cost him the preseason.

The idea that the Chiefs viewed Toney as a "special talent" is in line with other reports since Kansas City acquired Toney in October 2022, and one game, even as disastrous as it was, doesn't make Toney any less talented than he was before training camp. However, after missing all of camp and the preseason due to a knee injury suffered just before the official start of his first practice, it stands to reason that the Chiefs would want to keep their options open. Fowler's next tidbit includes two familiar names.

Chiefs interested in Julio Jones and Jarvis Landry?

On the receiver front, the Chiefs did look around this offseason. They kept in contact with DeAndre Hopkins before he signed with Tennessee in July. Perhaps they will look at the trade market next month, or it's possible veteran free agents Jarvis Landry and Julio Jones could help on short-term deals.

While Fowler does not report that the Chiefs have kept in contact with Jones and Landry — instead suggesting that "it's possible" the Chiefs could be a good landing spot for either receiver — it's an interesting time to include that note as he does remind readers that the Chiefs and Hopkins were in touch up through Hopkins's final decision. 

General manager Brett Veach and head coach Andy Reid certainly kept their options open regarding their uncertain pass-catching group throughout the offseason, and though it would be tougher for a veteran to join mid-season instead of having an entire training camp to get comfortable in the offense, Jones and Landry certainly seem like the type of vets who could pick up a part-time role in the offense quickly.

But would it matter?

The Chiefs kept seven wide receivers on their initial 53-man roster and activated all seven in Week 1. The Chiefs don't have a problem filling out a WR depth chart. They have a problem at the top of it.

Skyy Moore's Week 1 was, in some ways, perhaps even more concerning than Toney's, and Moore and Toney were KC's clear top options to become a No. 1 receiver this season. Landry and Jones could potentially earn Patrick Mahomes's trust in big moments, but the WR1 days are behind both Landry and Jones. Ultimately, the Chiefs desperately need the return of Travis Kelce. After that, the ceiling of the receiving group will still be determined by the players currently on the roster.

Read More: Patrick Mahomes Backs Kadarius Toney Despite Rough Outing