The life of an NFL rookie isn’t all sunshine and rainbows, and for Kansas City Chiefs receiver Xavier Worthy, his first season was a classic tale of two halves.
Still learning the playbook and how Patrick Mahomes likes to do things, Worthy only posted yards totals of 40+ just twice in his first nine games. However, the Week 10 loss to the Buffalo Bills marked a turning point, as a string of performances finally saw things click for Worthy.
He posted seven straight games of 40+ yards before continuing that in the playoffs with 287 yards and three touchdowns in three games (157 yards in the Super Bowl loss).
Worthy started slow, but finished in blazing hot form, and it’s something he wants to continue.
“The end of last year was kind of like a stepping stone for me,” Worthy said. “Just learning and getting a better feel for what Pat likes, and I started feeling like that got better at the end of the year, so just continue that and use that momentum.”
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy (1).
Denny Medley-Imagn Images
Worthy’s regular season stat line of 58 receptions, 638 yards, and six touchdowns is a good return, and now, as he enters Year 2, he’ll get more help from the returning Rashee Rice and what Kansas City hopes is a better version of Marquise Brown.
Speed is still Xavier’s one-wood, and defenses have to stop the long bombs downfield, but he showed he is more than just a speed threat, with his ability to be used on quick slants and even jet sweeps to good effect.
The Chiefs will be looking to bounce back from their horror Super Bowl loss, and Worthy could be the one who steps up and ignites his team’s fire.
With his late-season form surge being a stepping stone to greater things in 2025.
