The Kansas City Chiefs are officially back. Andy Reid changing the scheme, Eric Bieniemy's return, and Kenneth Walker III's stardom have reinvigorated the explosive plays and strong running game, as KC has scored at least 30 points in each of its first two regular-season games.
Judging by those numbers, and knowing Patrick Mahomes doesn't seem to have missed a step coming off major knee surgery, most people would assume that he's finally getting help from the wide receivers. Unfortunately, that's not the case, and all pass catchers not named Travis Kelce have actually left plenty to be desired this season.
The overall offensive numbers are somewhat misleading. Through a couple of games, Rashee Rice hasn't done anything to secure a contract extension, and Xavier Worthy continues to look more like a draft bust by the day.
The Chiefs need more from their wide receivers before it's too late
Adding Kenneth Walker III to the mix has worked wonders for this offense. He leads all NFL players with 369 yards from scrimmage, showing unmatched explosiveness once he gets an inch of space to turn the corner.
Soon-to-be 37-year-old Travis Kelce, on the other hand, is giving Father Time and the naysayers a run for their money, hauling in 12 catches on 16 targets for a team-leading 172 yards and one score. Yes, that's right, the old man who everyone counted out and thought wouldn't even come back is actually leading the passing offense again.
While everyone knows what Kelce is capable of, that's simply not a winning formula; it's not sustainable. Mahomes looked as spectacular as ever in Week 2, but once again, his primary wide receivers weren't much more than expensive decoys and VIP spectators.
Through two games, Rashee Rice has six receptions on eight targets for 102 yards. As for Xavier Worthy, he ranks sixth on the team with eight receptions on 13 targets for 43 yards and a touchdown. The team's speedster, the so-called big-play threat, is averaging 5.4 yards per reception.
There's simply no way to sugarcoat this: That type of production is unacceptable. And while Tyquan Thornton posted donuts in the stat sheet in game one, his performance versus the Colts is the most impressive any receiver has looked for the Chiefs so far this year.
The Chiefs need to get more from their wide receivers going forward, or they will have to make some tough decisions before the trade deadline. Things are so concerning that even bringing back Tyreek Hill should be on the table.
@MattVerderame yesterday on the @ArrowheadAddict podcast
— Price Carter (@priceacarter) September 18, 2026
“It almost feels inevitable that Tyreek Hill is going to be in Kansas City”
“It’s a generally accepted belief in the NFL that Tyreek is going to be in KC”
Of course, this might sound like nitpicking, as the team is 2-0 and the offense has looked sharp and explosive again. But how long until the rest of the league catches up to them and figures out how to contain Kenneth Walker?
Mahomes might be the best quarterback in the game, but he's just one guy; he can't catch his own passes. The clock is ticking, and the more we see them play, the more it seems that Rice and Worthy shouldn't be a part of this team's future.
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