Kadarius Toney signs with Browns in attempt to revive fading career

Kadarius Toney has gone from the category of the NFL to one of many league’s traditional never-beens.

The proficient but enigmatic first-round bust has signed with the Browns and can start his tenure on the observe squad, NFL Community reported Monday.

Toney, whom the Chiefs waived earlier than Week 1, selected the AFC North contenders over the Seahawks and had different visits deliberate, in keeping with the report.

NFL groups will at all times take a bet on expertise, and the Browns definitely appear like they want some offensive assist after a 33-17 house blowout loss to the Cowboys in Week 1.

Toney unquestionably has expertise, however extracting that potential is one other story.

The Giants noticed some glimpses after taking the Florida star with the twentieth decide within the 2021 NFL Draft, however GM Joe Schoen shipped him to Kansas Metropolis for a pair of draft picks, with the brand new regime opting to chop ties with a participant from the earlier entrance workplace.

Toney had his moments with the Chiefs, together with a essential punt return and a receiving landing within the 2023 Tremendous Bowl to assist the Chiefs down the Eagles, however even taking part in with Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce couldn’t elicit week-to-week consistency.

The 25-year-old tallied 14 catches for 171 yards and two touchdowns in 2022 earlier than registering 27 catches for 169 yards and one landing in 13 video games final season.

The Chiefs didn’t activate him for any of their 4 playoff wins en path to their second straight Tremendous Bowl, which proved to be an ominous signal.

Chiefs basic supervisor Brett Veach doesn’t have regrets concerning the 2022 midseason deal.

“I don’t assume we’re sitting right here going for a 3rd straight Tremendous Bowl had we not made that commerce,” Veach mentioned, per ESPN. “So, from that standpoint, we’d do it another time in a heartbeat.”

Toney’s resolution to hitch Cleveland didn’t have a monetary issue since his wage is assured for this season, and beginning on the observe squad will permit him to ease again into motion, per the report.

He’ll, at finest, be the crew’s No. 3 broad receiver since Amari Cooper and Jerry Jeudy are established starters, whereas ex-Jet Eli Moore can be within the combine.

The Browns’ offense already appears to be like shaky and it doesn’t assist that tight finish David Njoku is taken into account week-to-week after struggling an ankle damage Sunday.

Quarterback Deshaun Watson struggled — to place it mildly — within the loss, and has been accused of sexual assault in 2020 in a brand new lawsuit filed Monday.

The Browns go to the Jaguars in Week 2 in a battle of playoff hopefuls aiming to keep away from an 0-2 begin.