Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes provided some words of encouragement for embattled wide receiver Kadarius Toney this week.
Toney’s offensive offsides penalty erased what would have been a go-ahead Chiefs touchdown in their loss to the Buffalo Bills this past Sunday.
It was just the latest crucial error that Toney has made this season, but in spite of his struggles, Mahomes—who was livid with the officials after the call was made—still has his back.
“Just be you man,” Mahomes said, according to PJ Green of Fox 4 KC. “You make one mistake, that’s not gonna define you. It’s gonna be how you respond to that mistake.”
Mahomes added that all of his receivers know that he believes in them.
Toney has logged 25 catches for 164 yards and a touchdown this season.
The 24-year-old, who played his collegiate football at the University of Florida, was originally selected by the New York Giants with the 20th overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft.
He played in 10 games during his rookie campaign, catching 39 passes for 420 yards.
There was no doubt that Toney possessed explosive playmaking ability, but injuries and intangibles were both clear issues for the wide out.
The following year, Toney appeared in just two contests with the Giants before being traded to the Chiefs. Across nine games in New York and Kansas City in total last season, Toney accumulated 16 receptions for 171 yards and a couple of scores.
The Chiefs have lost four of their last six games and are now 8-5 on the season. They will take on the New England patriots this Sunday. They will then battle the Las Vegas Raiders, Cincinnati Bengals and Los Angeles Chargers to close out the regular season.
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