Kadarius Toney taking snaps at RB in Chiefs training camp

Better days might be ahead for former first-round wide receiver Kadarius Toney with the Kansas City Chiefs.

While the franchise envisioned Toney as part of their replacement plan for star Tyreek Hill after he was traded to the Miami Dolphins, his time with the Chiefs has been a mixed bag. He played a big role in their Super Bowl win over the Philadelphia Eagles two seasons ago, but his second season with Kansas City was disastrous.

Filled with dropped passes, controversies about his playing time and other off-the-wall stories, some wondered if Kansas City would be better off cutting ties with the wide receiver. Instead, they’re trying a new approach — playing Toney at running back during training camp.

#Chiefs HC Andy Reid said they've been giving Kadarius Toney RB snaps during camp because they saw positive moments there last year.

Reid believes Toney enjoys playing that role, so the team is going to try to utilize it to the best of his ability at training camp. pic.twitter.com/Jchca4ehbO

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) July 23, 2024

“#Chiefs HC Andy Reid said they’ve been giving Kadarius Toney RB snaps during camp because they saw positive moments there last year,” Ari Meirov reported. “Reid believes Toney enjoys playing that role, so the team is going to try to utilize it to the best of his ability at training camp.”

Toney’s shown shiftiness on the field, specifically in the return game, so perhaps a switch to a hybrid running back role could work wonders for the former Florida Gators star. If there’s anyone who can maximize his abilities, it’s Andy Reid and the Chiefs.

Time will tell if it works out for Kadarius Toney, but if it doesn’t fly in Kansas City, there aren’t a lot of teams who would put up with his antics. This could be his last chance to remain in a high-profile position in the league.

Clyde Edwards-Helaire passes physical for Kansas City Chiefs

In other Kansas City Chiefs-related news, Clyde Edwards-Helaire signed to return with the franchise this offseason. Now, with practice starting up for the Chiefs, Kansas City has made an important designation on the fifth-year running back.

NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport shared an update with names of several players involving in pre-camp transactions. That included Edwards-Helaire as he has passed his physical for Kansas City.

Edwards-Helaire has appeared in 48 games, including 32 starts, over the past four years with the Chiefs. In that time, he has rushed 441 times for 1,845 yards, good for 4.2 yards per rush and 38.4 per game, and a dozen touchdowns. He has also caught 89 passes for 765 yards, good for 8.6 a reception, and seven more scores.

Edwards-Helaire led Kansas City in rushing as a rookie in 2020. However, he has become a secondary back the last two seasons due to injuries as well as their rotation. That would specifically be in reference to the emergence of Isiah Pacheco.

Still, as part of the Chiefs’ current run, Edwards-Helaire has become a two-time and consecutive Super Bowl champion. Edwards-Helaire did not have his fifth-year option picked up by the organization. However, they did sign him to a one-year deal back at the beginning of April.

Clyde Edwards-Helaire has had a lot of success over his last half-decade of football. He’ll now look to continue that span with him passing and being back with the Chiefs.

On3’s Sam Gillenwater contributed to this article.