Breaking: Chiefs’ Offense Gets a Spark with Xavier Worthy: The Wait is Over- Worthy Finds His Groove
After months of NFL fans criticizing the Kansas City Chiefs offense, rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy‘s ascension has potentially unlocked the passing game for Patrick Mahomes and company.
The Chiefs took care of business on Christmas, coming away with a statement 29-10 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers have a formidable defense, but Mahomes carved them up for his best game of the year, throwing for 320 yards and three touchdowns.
It was also one of the busiest games of Worthy’s early career. He caught a career-high eight passes on nine targets, going for 79 yards and a touchdown. The first-round pick’s usage has skyrocketed in recent weeks, and his ascension after such a slow start could be making the Chiefs legitimate Super Bowl contenders once again.
A Slow Start
The Chiefs took a big swing on Worthy by taking him with the 28th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. However, there was a moment when it looked like general manager Brett Veach had whiffed on his first-round pick.
Worthy was an electric playmaker in college at Texas, then turned heads after breaking the 40-yard dash record at the NFL Scouting Combine, running the drill in 4.21 seconds.
That track speed showed up immediately for Worthy, who had a receiving and rushing touchdown in his NFL debut against the Baltimore Ravens.
Unfortunately, that breakout first game felt like a distant memory in the following weeks. During the next eight games, he caught just 18 passes for 199 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Breakout wideout Rashee Rice suffered a season-ending knee injury just a few weeks into the season, opening the door for a larger role for Worthy. Instead, he struggled to handle the physicality of the NFL game, and opposing defenses started to shut down the 165-pound receiver by pressing him at the line of scrimmage.
This play against the San Francisco 49ers, where Worthy is lined up closest inside on the wider side of the field. Watch how the 49ers DB disrupts Worthy’s route, causing him to lose balance and leading to an interception.
