The Cleveland Browns released wide receiver Kadarius Toney after their Week 14 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The outcome of the two special teams plays he was involved in led to his abrupt departure.
As The 33rd Team NFL writer Ari Meirov recalled, one of Toney’s special teams appearances led to a taunting penalty. He muffed the punt recovery in the other play, resulting in the Steelers regaining ball possession.
In the fourth quarter on Sunday, Kadarius Toney was on the field for two special teams plays, one resulting in a taunting penalty after a fair catch and the other a muffed punt recovered by the Steelers.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) December 10, 2024
Today, the #Browns waived him. https://t.co/IpU8ypqDnv
Toney’s brief appearance for the Browns lasted only three games and did not register a catch. Meanwhile, he had four return attempts for 44 yards. Toney’s stint with Cleveland adds another chapter to his underwhelming NFL career.
After playing for the Florida Gators, the New York Giants thought he was the next big thing. Hence, New York’s NFC team selected him in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Sadly, he played in only 12 games and tallied 591 receiving yards.
Despite his subpar performance for the first-round pick, the Kansas City Chiefs traded for Toney while giving up their third and sixth-round picks in the 2023 draft. He scored his first NFL touchdown with the Chiefs and completed the longest punt return in Super Bowl history.
While Toney played on two Super Bowl-winning teams, he played only 20 games with the Chiefs, gaining 340 yards and three touchdowns. He had 82 catches for 760 yards and three touchdowns through four seasons.
-Lance Fernandez