Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Kadarius Toney couldn’t afford another mistake for a second straight week, but it happened again Sunday against the Patriots.
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was visibly upset on the sidelines after Toney had another drop that led to an interception by Patriots linebacker Jahlani Tavai with 9:20 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Mahomes threw a short pass across the middle to Toney — as the Chiefs held a 27-10 lead over the Patriots — and the wideout juggled the ball before it was picked off by Tavai.
To make matters worse, New England scored a touchdown two plays later to cut the deficit to 27-17.
It was Mahomes’ second pick of the game, but the quarterback was understandably frustrated after launching a solid throw to Toney.
He was seen hitting the bench as he sat down, venting to one of the Chiefs’ staffers.
Mahomes appeared to drop some NSFW words during the rant, before he put his head in his hands and shook his head.
Meanwhile, Toney also appeared frustrated on the other end of bench.
Fox broadcaster Daryl Johnston, who was on the call, said it’s a “critical situation” that Toney is in amid his struggles.
“He’s not gonna trust him anymore,” Johnston said, referring to Mahomes. “It’s coming down to a critical situation and that’s where the ball has to go because he’s open but I don’t trust him. I’m losing trust.”
Toney’s error came after his offsides penalty in Kansas City’s dramatic 20-17 loss to the Bills in Week 14, which ultimately cost the Chiefs the game.
He received support from Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, who called out some media members for “talking s–t” amid his team’s offensive struggles.
The Chiefs still secured the win to snap a two-game losing streak in Sunday’s win against New England.
Kansas City head coach Andy Reid was asked about sitting Toney, and he wasn’t quick to pounce on the young wideout.
“We’ll see how things go,” Reid said. “I’m not down on Toney. He’s done some good things.
“He’s a young guy. We’re not talking about somebody that has been in this league a long time.”
Mahomes and the Chiefs’ offense have struggled to generate points — and Toney’s blunders keep piling up, indicating the wideout is unreliable.
The Chiefs (9-5) host the Las Vegas Raiders (6-8) in an AFC West showdown on Christmas Day.