NFL teams have until May 2 to exercise or decline the 5th-year options of their first-round pick/s from the 2021 NFL Draft. The 5th-year options are determined based on four tiers. They include basic, playtime, multiple Pro Bowls, and one Pro Bowl. The 33rd Team goes into further detail.

The Kansas City Chiefs did not draft a player in the first round that year, but since they traded for a former first-rounder from the New York Giants, they had a decision to make.

The Kansas City Chiefs have until Thursday to exercise or decline their wide receiver’s 5th-year option.

Dec 10, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Kadarius Toney (19) drops a pass during the first half against the Buffalo Bills at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Since Kadarius Toney was a 1st-round pick and has played in three seasons, his contract includes a 5th-year option worth $14.435 million, fully guaranteed for the 2025 season.

The Chiefs have made their decision.

The Kansas City Chiefs have made their decision.

Dec 10, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Kadarius Toney (19) scores a touchdown during the second half against the Buffalo Bills at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. The play would be called back due to an offensive penalty. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
The Chiefs declined Toney’s 5th-year option, making him an unrestricted free agent in 2025.

He had a disappointing start to his NFL career.

Kadarius Toney had a disappointing start to his NFL career.

Feb 12, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Kadarius Toney (19) carries the ball on a 65-yard punt return against the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl 57 at State Farm Stadium. The Chiefs defeated the Eagles 38-35. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Toney had a disappointing start to his career battling injuries, causing him to miss 19 out of 51 regular season games and struggling with drops with nine.

He has 82 receptions on 115 targets for 760 yards and three touchdowns in 32 regular season games and seven receptions on ten targets for 50 yards and one touchdown in three playoff games. He also has 17 punt returns for 119 yards in the regular season and six punt returns for 112 yards in the playoffs.

The Kansas City Chiefs still believe in him.

Feb 27, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid talks to the media at the 2024 NFL Combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Andy Reid is still a believer in Kadarius Toney.

“Kadarius is arguably one of the most talented guys we have on the team,” Reid said. “It’s just a matter of being healthy and being able to stay on the field and you always hear about the reliability, accountability, all those things that go into it. And so I’m expecting him to come back ripping and ready to go. It’s great that he’s down there working with Pat and putting the work in. So that’s a position. Listen, we like Kadarius. It’s just a matter of having him on the field.”