Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes made it clear that they have high expectations for 2024 first-round pick Xavier Worthy, telling reporters on July 16 that there was “no easing” the rookie into the offense. Worthy suffered a hamstring injury during the off-season program.
He participated in the first practice of training camp, though. Worthy, the No. 28 overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft, echoed Mahomes’ sentiments when presented with them.
Chiefs’ Xavier Worthy Reacts to Patrick Mahomes’ Comments
Xavier Worthy Maximized Time While Sidelined by Hamsring Injury
“Definitely feel like it’s no time to ease in,” Worthy told reporters on July 17. “It’s ‘all go.’ Once you’re here, you’re here. So I understand definitely what Pat saying. And just to build that connection with him, it’s going to be key here.”
The Chiefs selected Worthy after 2023 second-round pick Rashee Rices’ breakout as a rookie.
However, Rice’s off-field troubles and continued uncertainty around the rest of the Chiefs’ depth at the position has Worthy poised for a big season as long as he can stay on the field.
“It’s very important to me,” Worthy said about being available. “In college, I never missed a game, never had no injuries really. So just having that happen … it’s kind of frustrating. But I got a chance to learn and get better in a different way; learning the playbook. So it was good in both ways for me.
“I feel like that’s like the big struggle for all rookies, is learning the playbook, learning the system. So I feel like just in-tuning to that for me was really the big thing, and rehabbing, of course, just to get back and be able to be out here and run.”
#Chiefs WR Xavier Worthy taking some reps today.. pic.twitter.com/r9jO8qAuQN
— PJ Green (@ByPJGreen) July 17, 2024
Worthy stayed close to Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy to stay up to speed. Nagy is entering his third season as Chiefs OC in his second stint with the organization after a four-year stint as Chicago Bears head coach.
“I felt pretty good as my time off, and even when I was off during OTAs, I took the time to really learn and in-tune the playbook,” Worthy said. “Ask the question I need to ask, stay by the offensive coordinator, Coach Nagy, and I feel like that really helped me.”
Xavier Worthy Poised to Fill Major Void for Chiefs
Tight end Travis Kelce is the Chiefs’ top pass-catching threat. But there is a significant void opposite Rice (and in place of amid a potential suspension) in the offense. Kelce led the team with 93 receptions in 2023.
Rice was second with 79 grabs while running back Isaiah Pacheco (44) and tight end Noah Gray (28) ranked third and fourth, respectively.
Justin Watson and Kadarius Toney tied for second among the Chiefs receivers with 27 receptions apiece. Toney had 169 receiving yards and one touchdown. Watson had 460 yards and two scores. A reliable third option could do wonders for the entire offense, especially if it comes with Worthy’s game-breaking speed. Free agent signing Hollywood Brown offers a similar skill set.
Worthy (or Brown) emerging would be another weapon for Mahomes, take some of the burden off Kelce, and provide a complement to (or temporary replacement for) Rice. He can only do that though if he can stay on the field.
Worthy and the Chiefs hope his offseason misfortune was just that and he can return to his collegiate durability.
Main Photo: [Kevin Jairaj] – USA Today Sports
