Kadarius Toney

Kadarius Toney Bio

Kadarius Toney is an American professional football wide receiver who has played in the National Football League. Born on January 27, 1999, in Mobile, Alabama, Toney attended Blount High School before playing college football for the Florida Gators from 2017 to 2020. He was selected by the New York Giants in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft with the 20th overall pick. Throughout his NFL career, Toney has been known for his dynamic playmaking ability and versatility on offense.

Early Life and Background

Kadarius Toney grew up in Eight Mile, Alabama, a suburb of Mobile. He attended Blount High School where he became the starting quarterback for his final two years of high school football. As a junior, he threw for 3,604 yards while rushing for 896 yards and recorded 53 total touchdowns with 37 coming through the air and 16 on the ground. His exceptional performance earned him Alabama 6A second-team all-state honors and a spot on the AL.com Coastal Alabama first-team.

During his senior season, Toney continued his impressive play by throwing for 2,984 yards and rushing for 894 yards while accounting for 47 touchdowns. He was named Alabama 6A Back of the Year, selected to the 2016 AL.com Super All-State Team, and earned offensive MVP honors from the AL.com All-Coastal Alabama team. Toney also participated in the Alabama-Mississippi All Star Classic and finished his high school career with a 20-5 record as a starter.

Path to the NFL

Toney was a consensus three-star recruit coming out of high school and received scholarship offers from several major programs including South Carolina, Georgia Tech, South Alabama, Alabama, and Florida. He ultimately chose to continue his football career at the University of Florida, joining the Florida Gators program.

During his freshman, sophomore, and junior seasons at Florida, Toney served as a reserve player, lining up at various positions including wide receiver, running back, wildcat quarterback, and on special teams. His versatility was evident from the start, demonstrating the ability to impact the game in multiple ways despite not being a primary starter.

Kadarius Toney Career

New York Giants (2021-2022)

Toney was selected by the New York Giants in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft with the 20th overall pick. He signed a four-year contract worth $13.7 million on June 4, 2021. His rookie season started slowly with only four receptions through the first three games. In Week 4 against the New Orleans Saints, he recorded six catches for 78 yards in a 27-21 overtime victory.

His breakout performance came in Week 5 against the Dallas Cowboys when he recorded 10 catches for 189 yards, breaking Odell Beckham Jr.’s Giants receiving record for a rookie. However, the game ended with controversy as Toney was ejected for throwing a punch at Cowboys safety Damontae Kazee during the 44-20 loss. He later missed four weeks due to an oblique injury and spent time on the COVID-19 reserve list. Despite appearing in only 10 games, Toney finished his rookie season with the second-most receiving yards on the Giants with 420 yards on 39 receptions.

In 2022, Toney’s season was disrupted by a hamstring injury suffered in Week 2 that caused him to miss five games. Before being traded, he had recorded only two receptions for zero yards and no touchdowns through limited playing time.

Kansas City Chiefs (2022-2023)

Toney was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs on October 27, 2022, in exchange for a third-round and sixth-round draft pick. His time with the Chiefs began showing promise as he scored his first NFL touchdown in Week 10 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. During the 2022 regular season, he appeared in nine games and recorded 16 receptions for 171 yards and two touchdowns.

His most memorable moment came in Super Bowl LVII against the Philadelphia Eagles. Toney set a Super Bowl record with a 65-yard punt return in the fourth quarter, surpassing Jordan Norwood’s previous record of 61 yards. He also caught a fourth-quarter touchdown that helped put the Chiefs ahead for the first time in the game. The Chiefs defeated the Eagles 38-35, giving Toney his first Super Bowl championship.

The 2023 season proved challenging for Toney. He underwent knee surgery for a torn meniscus suffered during the first practice of training camp but returned for the season opener against the Detroit Lions. Against the Lions, he struggled with four drops including one that resulted in a pick-six. In Week 14 against the Buffalo Bills, Toney was called for an offside penalty that negated a potential go-ahead touchdown, and the Chiefs lost the game 20-17. He missed significant time due to hip and ankle injuries and was listed as inactive for the playoffs, including Super Bowl LVIII. Despite not playing in the championship game, Toney earned a second Super Bowl title when the Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers 25-22. He finished the 2023 season with 27 receptions for 169 yards and one touchdown.

On May 2, 2024, the Chiefs declined the fifth-year option on Toney’s contract. He was released by the team on August 27, 2024.

Cleveland Browns (2024)

On September 9, 2024, Toney signed with the Cleveland Browns practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster on December 7, 2024. However, his tenure was short-lived as he was released on December 10 following a Week 14 performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers where he muffed a punt and received a taunting penalty.

Playing Style and Strengths

Toney is known for his versatility and ability to line up at multiple positions on offense. His experience playing quarterback in high school translated to comfort with the ball in his hands and the vision to find openings in defenses. He possesses good speed and elusiveness that made him effective after the catch. His experience returning punts and kicks added value on special teams, where he made his most memorable NFL plays including his record-setting Super Bowl punt return.

Notable Events and Milestones

Toney’s Super Bowl LVII performance remains the highlight of his professional career. His 65-yard punt return set a new Super Bowl record and his fourth-quarter touchdown reception proved crucial in the Chiefs’ victory over the Eagles. He achieved the rare feat of winning two Super Bowls despite not playing in the second championship game. His rookie receiving record with the Giants demonstrated his big-play ability at the NFL level.

Kadarius Toney Career Statistics

Across four NFL seasons with three teams, Toney accumulated 82 receptions for 760 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns. His career included two Super Bowl championships, one achieved as a significant contributor with the Chiefs and the second as a member of the team during the championship run.

College Career Highlights

During his senior season at Florida in 2020, Toney experienced a breakout year. He led the Gators’ potent offense with 70 receptions for 984 yards and 10 touchdowns while averaging 14.1 yards per catch. He also contributed as a runner with 19 carries for 161 yards and as a returner with both kick and punt returns. His versatility earned him recognition as a second-team All-American by the Associated Press and first-team All-SEC honors from league coaches. He was also a finalist for the 2020 Paul Hornung Award, given to the most versatile player in college football.

2025 Season Performance

In 2025, Toney announced his retirement from professional football during an Instagram live broadcast, concluding a four-year NFL career that included two Super Bowl championships. Following his retirement announcement, Toney faced legal issues in February 2025 when he was arrested in Georgia on charges including aggravated assault and obstructing 911 calls. He was released after posting $50,000 bail. His retirement from football marked the end of a career that showed promise but was ultimately impacted by injuries and inconsistency throughout his time in the NFL.