In what was easily the biggest disappointing performance from the NFL opening game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Detroit Lions, wide receiver Kadarius Toney may have cost the reigning Super Bowl champions a win in Week 1.
It was a nightmare performance from Toney in the 21-20 loss to the Lions. Despite being targeted five times on Thursday night, the former New York Giants wideout had just one reception for one yard.
To make matters worse, Toney cost the Chiefs a chance at pouring it on in the second half when a dropped ball on a flat route was snagged by Lions rookie Brian Branch, who returned the interception for a game-tying touchdown.
Brian Branch and the Lions pick 6 Mahomes ?
? @NFL pic.twitter.com/zMeKow1Cf2
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) September 8, 2023
That wasn't the only drop from Toney. With the Chiefs down one late in the fourth quarter, Patrick Mahomes found an open Toney for what would have been a first down, but the ball went right through his hands for a drop that would prove to be costly, with Kansas City failing to get any points on their final drive.
Kadarius Toney has multiple drops for the Chiefs in KC?s opener pic.twitter.com/LusrPgsM5D
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) September 8, 2023
Not surprisingly, the internet had a field day with Toney, who was projected to be Kansas City's No. 1 receiver heading into the 2023 season. The reactions on X alone were more highlight-worthy than Toney's actual on-field play.
Kadarius Toney heading back to the locker room pic.twitter.com/IjkJzJDv0h
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) September 8, 2023
Kadarius Toney finishing with one receiving yard, negative one rushing yards, four drops, and one of those drops leading to a pick-6 in a game KC lost by 1 point legit might go down as the worst performance any skill player has all season.
— Danny Heifetz (@Danny_Heifetz) September 8, 2023
Kadarius Toney when he shows up to the Chiefs facility tomorrow morning pic.twitter.com/qlyRHeqXwM
— Andrew (@gmengalaxy) September 8, 2023
Toney wasn't the only Chiefs wide receiver who struggled, however. Second-year wideout Skyy Moore failed to haul in a single catch on three targets, struggling to get open and dropping the ball whenever Mahomes did look his way.
The Chiefs clearly missed superstar tight end Travis Kelce, who missed Week 1 due to a hyperextended knee. However, even when Kelce returns to the field, the Chiefs have some real questions that need answering at wide receiver if they want to be Super Bowl contenders once again.
