KC Chiefs: AFC Championship could be coming-out party for Kadarius Toney

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Kadarius Toney was one of the most exciting mid-season acquisitions in recent memory back when the team acquired him

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Kadarius Toney was one of the most exciting mid-season acquisitions in recent memory back when the team acquired him in October before the NFL trade deadline. Toney hadn’t done much with his previous team, the New York Giants, but when he was on the field and healthy, he was one of the most electric players in the league with the ball in his hands.

For whatever reason, things didn’t work out for Toney in New York and the Giants essentially gave up on him. Since being in Kansas City, Toney has looked rejuvenated and explosive. It took some time to recover from the hamstring injury that was bothering him even before the trade but things seem to finally be clicking for Toney in the short time he’s been with the Chiefs.

While his stat line wouldn’t indicate that Toney has made a huge impact, his efficiency in the limited opportunities he’s had has been pretty incredible. Every time he’s targeted by Patrick Mahomes or given the ball on a sweep, he’s making a circus catch or slipping past defenders on his way to the end zone. Yet, he hasn’t had that big game. This is why the AFC Championship could be a huge coming-out party for Toney.

KC Chiefs could have big plans for Kadarius Toney in AFC Championship

When you think of potential X-factors as the Chiefs are set to take on the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC Championship game this Sunday, you shouldn’t look much further than Toney, especially since Toney was injured when they faced Cincinnati back in early December. He brings an entirely new and unique skillset the Chiefs simply didn’t have before.

Toney only had 230 yards from scrimmage and 3 TDs over the course of the entire 2022 regular season. That said, his efficiency with very limited touches was encouraging. He put together a highlight reel of plays just over the span of a few games with Kansas City and the potential is and has been obvious.

Toney has shown a consistent ability to get separation, adjust on back shoulder throws from Mahomes, and make defenders miss with the ball in his hands just about every game he’s been active. Toney was even the second-leading receiver behind Travis Kelce against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the Divisional round and was a key player on third down when the Chiefs needed a quick couple of yards. It’s pretty clear that the team already has a lot of trust in him.

When you take into account all of this information, it would seem likely that the team has been waiting to unleash Toney for a game as important as this one where there hasn’t been that much on film for other teams and opponents haven’t really grasped how dangerous of a weapon he is yet. In a game where it’s all hands on deck and the Chiefs will need production out of their receivers to best Cincinnati once and for all, expect a heavy dose of Toney who is due for a true breakout game.