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Chiefs’ quarterback Patrick Mahomes has expressed his continued ‘trust’ in wide receiver Kadarius Toney, despite Toney’s three critical drops during the team’s season opener against the Lions.
The Chiefs suffered a narrow 21-20 defeat in the 2023 season opener, while playing without the presence of star tight end Travis Kelce due to injury.
The most impactful of Toney’s drops came when he failed to secure what appeared to be a routine catch, allowing Lions rookie safety Brian Branch to intercept the pass and return it for a pivotal touchdown in the third quarter, ultimately defining the outcome of the game.
Wow Patrick Mahomes with a pick-6 after a Kadarius Toney drop.
Brian Branch, wowhttps://t.co/Mjlpm4orfC
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) September 8, 2023
Toney struggled throughout the game, dropping two more passes and managing just one reception for a yard. The Chiefs had high hopes for Toney, considering him as a potential No. 1 wide receiver, according to ESPN’s Adam Teicher.
Kadarius Toney dropped the ball for a pick-6 earlier and now drops a 1st down pass on 3rd down.pic.twitter.com/7jRxJdNEDDhttps://t.co/jw0OLRpXSa
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) September 8, 2023
Patrick Mahomes remains steadfast in his belief in Toney’s abilities. Mahomes cited Toney’s limited training camp participation and his determination to recover from injury as contributing factors to his performance. Mahomes stated, “I have trust in [Toney]…stuff’s not always going to go your way.”
The quarterback emphasized his confidence that Toney will continue to develop and play a crucial role in critical moments.
Despite this unexpected Week 1 loss for Mahomes and the Chiefs, the team’s future remains uncertain, with potential adjustments and improvements on the horizon as they aim to bounce back in the coming weeks.