The Kansas City Chiefs made a significant trade on Thursday by acquiring wide receiver Kadarius Toney from the New York Giants for a 2023 third-round pick and a 2023 sixth-round pick.
Toney was the No. 20 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, but injuries have kept him from reaching his full potential (he hasn’t played since week two this season).
This move for the Chiefs is one that doesn’t help the team as much this season as it does in 2023 and 2024. That’s because Toney is under contract through the 2024 season (plus the fifth-year option).
And several of Kansas City’s wide receivers will be free agents after the 2022 season (specifically, JuJu Smith-Schuster and Mecole Hardman).
With wide receivers receiving ridiculous contracts right now, this is a smart way for Kansas City to address a couple of potential departures without giving up a lot in compensation or spending a large chunk of cap space.
And because that seems to be the plan, the move to acquire Toney doesn’t preclude the Chiefs from making another addition to their offense this season.
One move in particular — adding Odell Beckham Jr — is still on the table.
And if you’re wondering, the Chiefs are still a possible landing spot, & perhaps ideal one, for Odell Beckham Jr.
— Nate Taylor (@ByNateTaylor) October 27, 2022
Beckham is still recovering from the torn ACL he suffered in Super Bowl LVI.
The latest timeline has OBJ ready to hit the field in December, which means he should be gearing up to sign with a team soon (so he can be in meetings and be ready to go when his knee allows it).
Beckham will have plenty of suitors, but Kansas City could be the most attractive destination for the former LSU star.
OBJ wants another ring. At one point, the Green Bay Packers seemed like a decent option for Beckham. But with their recent struggles, it makes sense for OBJ to look elsewhere.
It’s hard to imagine a better situation for Beckham than playing with Mahomes.
He could sign a one-year deal, boost his stock in a few regular season games and the playoffs, and then look to cash in next spring with a multi-year deal (if things go well, maybe the Chiefs give him that deal).
If Beckham wants to win a ring and regain his reputation as an elite wide receiver, the Chiefs are easily his best option. And it sounds like Kansas City is still open to the idea of signing him despite their move to trade for Toney on Thursday.
