The 2023 season has yet to have the impact Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Kadarius Toney would have hoped for as he continues to deal with nagging injuries and inconsistency with drops. The offensive offsides penalty during last Sunday’s game put a bigger spotlight on the speedy third-year player as he seeks an opportunity to rebound in the final four games.
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes had his frustrations well documented from Sundy’s loss to the Buffalo Bills, but he continues to support his receivers room. During his Wednesday press conference, he shared his recent conversation with Toney.
“Just be you, man. That’s all you can do in life or this league. I mean, you’re gonna make mistakes, stuff (is) gonna happen in your life,” said Mahomes. “How do you accept that adversity and get past it and do it the right way? And Coach Reid preaches that. And that’s how I roll; you make one mistake that’s not gonna define you; it’s gonna be how you respond to that mistake.”
The positivity preached by Mahomes didn’t stop at Toney, as he also shared his proud support for the embattled receivers’ group as they continue to be criticized weekly.
“All the receivers know I believe in them,” Mahomes explained. “That’s just kind of how I roll. If you’re in this locker room, I see how hard you work. I’m gonna trust in you in the big moments, and I’m gonna give you chances to go out there and make plays.
Everything I know, their mindset seems like it’s in a good spot, and they just want to go out there and continue to get better and better. And I can see that, how hard they’re working out here. And I feel like if we can continue to push through the grind, we’ll end up on the other side of it. As the season goes on.”
Toney has 25 receptions for 164 yards and a touchdown while garnering four drops in his twelve games this season. When the ball is in his hands, an electric player has started seeing more time in the backfield on running plays while Isiah Pacheco is out due to injury.
