Three years ago, the Kansas City Chiefs hoped that the fastest prospect in the game would give them their second coming of Tyreek Hill. Xavier Worthy entered the league with some question marks, but his quick twitch and acceleration made him the ultimate vertical threat.
Worthy showed signs of promise in his first season out of Texas before regressing and getting hurt in his second campaign. Now, midway through his third year, it's hard to consider him anything other than a first-round bust.
He's been a non-factor more often than not, and the Chiefs might not even want to pick up his fifth-year option after this season. Barring a shocking turn of events, 2027 will be his final season with the organization.
Xavier Worthy's future with Chiefs looks murky after another no-show
Over the first seven games of the season, the former first-round pick has 27 receptions on 41 targets for a mere 230 yards. He has been healthy this season, and he's even been treated as the team's WR1 multiple times because of injuries, but has failed to produce as such.
Patrick Mahomes is averaging just 5.6 yards when he targets him, nearly 3.0 fewer yards than on passes to anyone else (8.2). The Chiefs aren't using him on jet sweeps or end arounds anymore; he's not physical enough to create separation, and they aren't even featuring him as a vertical threat.
Some were concerned about Worthy's small size and lanky frame, and about how he'd handle the wear and tear of the pros. Three seasons into his career, it's time to admit that the doubters may have been right all along.
The Chiefs are facing a serious crisis in the pass-catching department. Travis Kelce isn't the same all-world guy he was in his prime and might not even be there next season, and the wide receivers just aren't good enough.
That has been one of Brett Veach's Achilles' heels in recent years. The Chiefs didn't seem to need Tyreek Hill because of their strong defense, but they haven't given their superstar quarterback a legitimate go-to guy since his departure.
Rashee Rice is, unfortunately, going down the same road, and this team will have to make some big moves to give Mahomes reliable weapons in the passing game. There are still 10 more games this season to change everyone's minds, but Rice and Worthy will have to do plenty of heavy lifting to extend their stay in Missouri.
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