The most obvious replacements for Kadarius Toney at Chiefs come with their own set of issues

The Kansas City Chiefs have parted ways with wide receiver Kadarius Toney after a tumultuous two seasons. The Chiefs acquired the former first-round pick in a midseason trade with the New York Giants for the 2022 season, and his time in Kansas City has been an emotional rollercoaster.

Toney won over fans with his performance in Super Bowl LVII. Toney set a Super Bowl record with a 65-yard kick return in the fourth quarter, then caught a touchdown pass to give the Chiefs their first lead of the game.

Toney wore out his welcome the following season. The oft-injured wide receiver was expected to handle a heavier workload in 2023 but failed to live up to expectations. He played a significant role in Kansas City’s offensive woes and finished the season with five dropped passes.

While many Chiefs fans may be happy to see Toney leave the team, the remaining options to replace him do not inspire much confidence.

With Toney gone, the Chiefs will rely on wide receivers Mecole Hardman and Skyy Moore to serve as the fourth and fifth men.

Kansas City used a second-round pick to snag Hardman in the 2019 NFL Draft when former Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill was set to go on hiatus. For five years, Hardman was an underwhelming option. The 26-year-old wide receiver never recorded a 700-yard season or more than six touchdowns in a season despite playing in the Chiefs’ high-octane offense.

After Hardman fell through, the Chiefs selected Moore in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He’s been even less productive than Hardman over two seasons. Moore has yet to record more than 22 receptions or 250 yards in a season. He scored his only receiving touchdown in a Week 2 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2023.

The Chiefs acquired veteran wide receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown in free agency and selected Texas wide receiver Xavier Worthy with the 28th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Both wideouts are expected to join the starting lineup as deep threats on the perimeter, which will allow second-year wide receiver Rashee Rice to play in the slot.

Those plans will be delayed because Brown injured his shoulder in the Chiefs’ preseason opener against the Jaguars. Chiefs coach Andy Reid does not expect Brown to be ready for the team’s regular-season opener, meaning the Chiefs will have to rely on their wide receiver depth to take on the Baltimore Ravens.

Brown’s injury — a dislocated sternoclavicular joint — is the same ailment that former Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill suffered in 2019 when he missed four games. Brown has already missed three weeks, so the hope is he’ll be ready sooner rather than later. Until then, the Chiefs will have to rely on Hardman and Moore.