Kadarius Toney (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
Former Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver and two-time Super Bowl champion Kadarius Toney is staying in the AFC.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Cleveland Browns have signed Kadarius Toney. The 2021 first-round pick was released by the Chiefs on Aug. 27 ahead of the roster cut deadline.
The Browns are coming off a humiliating 33-17 loss at home in their season opener against the Dallas Cowboys. Quarterback Deshaun Watson completed just 24 of 45 pass attempts for 169 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions while taking six sacks in the loss.
So head coach Kevin Stefanski and GM Andrew Berry will try to revive Kadarius Toney’s career and see if he can emerge as a playmaker in their offense. Toney was a member of the Chiefs’ back-to-back Super Bowl championship-winning teams in 2022 and 2023.
Sources: Former #Chiefs WR Kadarius Toney is signing with the #Browns, giving Cleveland another playmaker.
He also visited the #Seahawks, and had others lined up. But for long- and short-term, Toney lands in Cleveland. pic.twitter.com/PMaWMCOWqe
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 9, 2024
The team has been eyeing an ideal No. 2 WR to complement Pro Bowler Amari Cooper. They acquired former Denver Bronco Jerry Jeudy in an offseason trade, but he has never cleared 1,000 receiving yards and had a relatively quiet debut (three catches for 25 yards and one touchdown).
KADARIUS TONEY TAKES IT DOWN TO THE 5 YARD LINE.
THIS GAME. 🔥🔥🔥
📺: #SBLVII on FOX
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/d8gBDzRt2m pic.twitter.com/bFMl6VQPUA— NFL (@NFL) February 13, 2023
Kadarius Toney was drafted 20th overall by the New York Giants in 2021, but the team gave up on the Florida product and sent him to the Chiefs ahead of the 2022 trade deadline. Over his first three NFL seasons, Toney has 82 receptions for 760 yards and three touchdowns.
The Browns will try to avoid an 0-2 start when they visit Trevor Lawrence and the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.
Kadarius Toney Gets The Fresh Start He Needs
The Giants and Chiefs were unable to fully unlock Toney’s potential, but perhaps another offensive-minded head coach like Stefanski will make it work.
Toney’s excellent speed and playmaking abilities made him a highly-touted prospect entering the 2021 NFL Draft. We’ll see if the Browns can develop him into a key contributor in their offense.
