Two years ago, the Kansas City Chiefs took Xavier Worthy out of the University of Texas in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft. His mesmerizing speed was just what they needed to replace Tyreek Hill, at least on paper, even if he came with some concerns about his size.
Fast forward to today, and those who were worried about his ability to withstand the physicality of the game may have been right. Worthy wasn't that big a factor as expected in Year 2, and he's officially entering a make-or-break season with the Chiefs, leaving time to tell whether he'll step up to the challenge.
It's Time Xavier Worthy Steps Up for the Chiefs
The Chiefs brought Worthy slowly into action as a rookie. He still finished the year with 59 catches on 98 targets for 638 yards and six touchdowns, adding 20 carries for 104 yards and three scores. That was a promising start to his career, even if he didn't have as many big plays as expected.
Then, things took a turn for the worse last season.
Worthy missed three games with a shoulder injury after a collision with Travis Kelce, and he wasn't that impactful when he returned. All in all, he had fewer targets (73), receptions (42), yards (532), and touchdowns (1). He also had fewer carries and rushing yards (11 for 87) and no rushing touchdowns.
Through two seasons, the former first-round pick averages a pedestrian 37.7 receiving yards and 6.2 rushing yards per game. He went from averaging 6.9 yards after the catch as a rookie to just 4.6 last season.
Worthy will now have a new offensive coordinator with Eric Bieniemy's return, and perhaps that's just what he needs to trend back up and finally prove that he can be the difference-maker they hoped he'd be. Otherwise, it might be time to have some difficult conversations about him.
The Chiefs may have doubts about Rashee Rice's future with the organization, given his well-documented off-field issues. There's also no telling if Jalen Royals will take another step in Year 2, or if Tyquan Thornton will come crashing down to earth after being re-signed. This is Worthy's opportunity to prove that, if it has to come down to it, he can be this team's WR1 for years to come.
The Chiefs used such a valuable draft asset to give Patrick Mahomes the big-play specialist he lost, and Worthy has yet to hold his end of the bargain. They're trusting him, proven by the fact that they haven't added another wideout via free agency or trade this offseason. Now, it's time for Worthy to reward that faith.
The Chiefs know there will be no more margin for error as they try to get back to the mountaintop in what will most likely be Kelce's final season in the league, and they can't afford to have Worthy being a speedy decoy and not much more than that.
Let's hope that he can find that next gear, or else it might be time to rethink his long-term future in Kansas City.