Kadarius Toney has not managed to live up to expectations in the NFL since he was drafted in the first round four years ago, but that does not mean the wide receiver is ready to call it a career.
A rumor surfaced on Thursday that Toney has decided to retire after the 26-year-old reportedly suggested as much in an Instagram live session.
Toney has begun an amateur rap career under the rapper name “Yung Joka.” One of his music videos went viral on Thursday at around the same time the retirement rumors circulated.
𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚: Kadarius Toney went on IG live and said that he is retiring from the NFL and wants to be considered a rapper instead of a football player.
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) April 17, 2025
Yung Joka is now the name he prefers to be called. pic.twitter.com/Dxq4RSl82S
In a post on his Instagram story later in the day, Toney said he is not giving up on his NFL career to pursue rapping full time. He said the rumor was spread by “goofies on the net” who want attention, according to a screenshot that was captured by TMZ. Toney added that he appreciates the exposure for his music and called his side gig a “passion.”
Toney, who was drafted 20th overall by the New York Giants in 2021, played in just three games for the Cleveland Browns last season. He was cut in December after an awful game during which he muffed a punt and was flagged for taunting. Toney has been a free agent since.
Toney has also had some troubling off-field issues in recent months, which will likely make it even more difficult for him to find a new team in the NFL.
Though he apparently is not retiring, there is no guarantee Toney will be signed by a team in the coming months.
