Can Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs solve the Kadarius Toney puzzle? - ESPN

AS THE FOURTH quarter of Super Bowl LVII neared 11 minutes, Kadarius Toney fielded a punt at his own 37-yard line while the Kansas City Chiefs held a 28-27 lead over the Philadelphia Eagles. Toney was surrounded by seven Eagles and had seemingly no way out of trouble.

After taking a hit, Toney regained his balance and found one. He reversed field and eventually made his way down the opposite sideline to complete the Super Bowl-record 65-yard punt return that set up the Chiefs for their final touchdown of the game.

The play made apparent the talent the Chiefs saw in Toney when they traded for him ahead of last year's deadline. But this season has so far highlighted why the New York Giants were so willing to trade Toney in the first place.

Toney tore his meniscus during a kick return drill moments before the Chiefs were to begin their first training camp practice. He had surgery and made it back for the season's first game against the Detroit Lions, and his play was the story of the game: He dropped several passes, including one he deflected to a defender who returned it for a touchdown in a game the Chiefs lost by one point.

Almost a year after dealing for him, the Chiefs are no closer than the Giants were to solving the riddle of Toney. Is he the game-breaker who delivered the big play and scored a fourth-quarter touchdown in the Super Bowl or the injury-prone player who is liable for the 1-yard game he had against Detroit?

«He's not maybe your every-down wide receiver with pure fundamentals,» said Dan Mullen, who coached Toney at Florida. «I don't know that he's going to ever be a No. 1 receiver. That's not his style of play. But he can be that guy in the return game and the screen game and all of these other things you