For too long, Patrick Mahomes has been without a consistent number one option at wide receiver. Tyreek Hill was traded prior to the 2022 season, and Travis Kelce, who, yes, is a tight end, but was Mahomes' first target for so many years, has undoubtedly lost a step in his mid-thirties. Rashee Rice was certainly on track to be the quarterback's go-to target after his rookie season, but has since been injured and off the field due to suspension and multiple poor decisions.
Enter third-year man out of the University of Texas and former first-round pick in 2024, Xavier Worthy. The slender 5'11" speed demon who set the record for the fastest 40-yard dash ever at a blazing 4.21 seconds is entering a monumental season, which could make or break his future aspirations with the team.
Worthy totaled an impressive 742 scrimmage yards in his rookie campaign to go along with nine total touchdowns. And it looked like, despite his 165 lb frame, he could turn into a similar type player as DeSean Jackson was for head coach Andy Reid for so many years in Philadelphia. However, just two snaps into the 2025 season, Worthy collided with Kelce on a crossing route and tore his labrum in his shoulder.
Of course, major props to Worthy for fighting past the injury and getting through the season, where his production understandably dropped to 619 yards and one lone score. Now fully healthy and entering the critical third-year receiver breakout season, Worthy, with Rice still sidelined, is taking the challenge of being Mahomes' primary option in stride.
Xavier Worthy seems to be all systems go for a big year in 2026
For the whole of OTAs and mandatory minicamp, Worthy had been one of the very Chiefs players wearing a yellow non-contact jersey, which had Chiefs fans worried he hadn't healed up from last year's ailment. Worthy quickly denied those claims, speaking to Chiefs media today.
"That was just a precautionary thing," he said. Worthy also made it quite clear early on in the media session to set the record straight when asked who the fastest receiver in the room was. "No question, I'm the fastest." Judging from his record-setting 40-yard dash time, who could possibly argue against Worthy's primary superpower?
Head coach Andy Reid also praised Worthy's development today as the still just 23-year-old is finally coming into his professional form. "He's had a really nice camp," Reid said. "He looks stronger, and that's the part you like. We've put him in a lot of primary positions, and I thought he did a nice job through all of it."
That's pretty strong speak from a coach who doesn't usually like to get too high or too low about anything. It speaks to Worthy's development as a more well-rounded receiver and also speaks to the mental aspect it takes to begin to lead a position room by example. A season in which Xavier Worthy can elevate himself into an elite playmaker and chain mover would do wonders for a Kansas City Chiefs offense that has been without it for far too long.
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