Deadline for key decision on Chiefs WR Kadarius Toney coming on Thursday

The Kansas City Chiefs' brass claim they haven't lost faith in WR Kadarius Toney, but how much faith do they actually have in him? 

Thursday, May 2 is the deadline for the Chiefs to decide on picking up the fifth-year option for the former New York Giants first-round pick in 2021. The option would pay Toney a fully guaranteed $14.3 million in 2025. The Chiefs are not expected to pick up Toney's fifth-year option, but you never quite know until the deadline officially passes. 

Recent comments from Brett Veach suggest the team still has a lot of belief in Toney's on-field ability, they just need to see him prove it all and stay on the field. He hasn't been able to do so to this point, outside of a few key flashes in 2022. 

"I know Kadarius has obviously had a long history of injury issues but he is probably our most talented wideout," Veach told reporters in his pre-draft press conference. "Again, it doesn’t do anyone any good unless you stay healthy, but the kid has always worked hard here for us and I know he’s been down there with Pat (Mahomes) and I think it’s just a matter of him staying healthy. If he can do that, he can really do a lot of great things in this offense. That’s one of the things – there’s a lot of speculation about KT, but I don’t think we ever stopped believing in him. I think people around the building like him. It’s the injury bug, hopefully he gets some luck on his side and can stay healthy and can be the player that he was in (The University of) Florida and the player that we’ve seen in spurts here. (I’m) just hoping he has good offseason and has a little luck on his side and can stay healthy."

Toney is coming off a season where he appeared in 13 games with two starts, catching 27 passes for 169 yards, and one score. The year was marred by dropped passes, inconsistency, injuries, and some drama in the form of an Instagram live video ahead of the AFC title game. As Veach mentioned, Toney has been down in Texas working with Patrick Mahomes and his teammates at times this offseason. Still, is it enough to make a commitment to Toney for 2025? 

The likeliest scenario here is that Toney sees the Chiefs decline his fifth-year option, just like they did with Clyde Edwards-Helaire last season. If Toney has a breakout year where he stays healthy and productive in Kansas City, perhaps they'll bring him back in 2025 on a deal they can better stomach, just as they did with Edwards-Helaire.