Chiefs GM Brett Veach on Kadarius Toney trade: 'I'd do it all over again in a heartbeat'
The Kadarius Toney era was a bumpy ride for the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs acquired Toney in a trade with the New York Giants midway through the 2022 season in exchange for a third and a sixth-round pick. He made a big impact for the Chiefs in just his second game with the team […]
The Kadarius Toney era was a bumpy ride for the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Chiefs acquired Toney in a trade with the New York Giants midway through the 2022 season in exchange for a third and a sixth-round pick. He made a big impact for the Chiefs in just his second game with the team with six touches for 90 yards and a touchdown.
Toney's usage was sporadic for the rest of 2022 as he battled through injuries and got acclimated to the playbook. It was unknown if he would be able to make an impact during Super Bowl LVII as he was nursing an ankle injury, but he helped Kansas City secure the win in the fourth quarter with a touchdown reception and a record-setting 65-yard punt return.
Expectations were through the roof for Toney entering 2023 as the Chiefs brass proclaimed him as their No. 1 receiver during the offseason. Unfortunately for Toney, he injured his knee on the first day of training camp and missed the entire preseason. He was able to return in time for the regular season but could never hit the ground running.
In fact, Toney's 2023 season was downright disastrous. It began by dropping four passes on a national stage in Week 1 in a 24-23 loss to the Detroit Lions. He finished the year with just 29 receptions for 169 yards and one touchdown while missing multiple games due to numerous injuries. To add insult to injury, Toney was a healthy scratch for Super Bowl LVIII.
Despite the way things ended, most can agree that the decision to acquire Toney two years ago was well worth it. Chiefs GM Brett Veach is one of those people, stating to reporters on Thursday that he would make the trade again in a heartbeat.
"Well, I mean, yeah, I don't think we're sitting here going for a third-straight Super Bowl had we not made that trade," Veach said. "So, from that standpoint, I'd do it all over again in a heartbeat. I think it's always disappointing when a player's tenure comes to an end in that situation, meaning you will have players that, the age catches up to them. You'll have players where maybe it's obviously a really serious injury, and then you'll have players that you move on from where the talent just wasn't there. So, I think when you have to move on for from a player and the full product, or the finished product, or untapping, all that talent wasn't realized, there's a disappointment. And, you know, I think it goes both ways. I'm certainly sure that, you know, there would be things that he would do different in regard to just some of the oxy's and stuff and taking care of the body. But again, I think it's a process. He's a really smart kid, and I do think he'll figure it out. And again, I think he'll end up making plays for a team down the road here. But as far as our interaction and working with the kid, he was actually a lot of fun to be around, and I just hope for the kid that he can get a little good luck on his side and stay healthy."
Surrendering a third and a sixth-round pick in exchange for help winning a Super Bowl is certainly worth it. Don't believe it? Ask one of the 12 franchises that have never once hoisted a Lombardi Trophy.
As disappointing as Toney's second year with the Chiefs was, K.C. still managed to win the Super Bowl yet again. As for Toney, the 25-year-old receiver will get opportunities from other teams, and it's not too late for him to figure things out and become a solid contributor if can stay healthy.
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