Get the booth ready. Or maybe don't. Turns out former New York Giants WR Kadarius Toney isn’t hanging up his cleats for a mic after all… but you'd be forgiven if you believed it for a second.
On Thursday, the internet exploded with rumors that the former first-round pick was ditching the NFL for good to go full-time with his rap persona, Yung Joka... because he reportedly said so on Instagram Live. Considering his rollercoaster (and disappointment) of a football career, the story had legs. But Toney quickly shut it down, making it clear he’s not done with football—at least not yet.
“Goofies on the net hollerin I’m retiring,” Toney said. “Just want klout. Ain’t speakin on the [expletive] nomo.”
He followed that up with a little self-promo: “Love da attention for my musik tho. It’s been a passion.” What a follow-up. Pretty bold to announce retirement on Live only to then call people out for the attention it garnered. One-of-one.
Kadarius Toney's time in the NFL might be over
Let’s be honest here—if Kadarius Toney did decide to pivot to music, would anyone in NFL circles actually be shocked? Not shocked by the music necessarily... that might be shocking, but more so would they be shocked he's done with the NFL?
Drafted 20th overall by the G-Men in 2021, Toney came in with electric potential and a mixtape of jaw-dropping college highlights. But in true Dave Gettleman fashion, the pick aged like milk. Toney played in just 12 games for Big Blue, constantly battling injuries and drama. His lone true breakout moment? A 10-catch, 189-yard outburst against the Dallas Cowboys.
It was awesome. If you're going to have a moment, have it against the Cowboys. It was also never repeated.
After Big Blue practically admitted they messed up and sent him to Kansas City, Toney somehow stumbled into two Super Bowl rings. Credit where it’s due—he had a massive punt return and a receiving TD against the Philadelphia Eagles. But outside of that? A whole lot of muffed punts, drops, and head-scratching plays. Cleveland took a swing on him in 2024 and got three games, zero catches, and one taunting flag for their trouble.
Now, he’s a free agent. And while Toney insists he’s not walking away from the game, it’s hard to say what team would actually want bring him in. Toney says the retirement buzz was just for clout-chasers, but the bigger question is whether NFL teams still think he's serviceable. The talent’s always been there... sorta. The reliability? Not so much.
Maybe Toney still has one last trick play in him. Or maybe Yung Joka’s next track will hit harder than he ever did on the gridiron. Either way, his football future’s murky—but his Spotify streams are probably looking up. At this point, Giants fans have moved on. But we’ll always remember what could’ve been—and what never was.