As the Kansas City Chiefs gear up for the 2026 NFL season, Andy Reid and his squad are eyeing a comeback after a rocky finish last year. The Chiefs started off with a promising 5-3 record but stumbled down the stretch, losing their last six games to end with a disappointing 6-11. This left them third in the AFC West, trailing behind the Bo Nix-led Denver Broncos and Justin Herbert’s Los Angeles Chargers.
Missing the playoffs for the first time in the Patrick Mahomes era was a tough pill to swallow, largely due to the offense's struggle to produce explosive plays. Mahomes still managed to rack up 3,587 passing yards and 22 touchdowns, but the consistency wasn’t there. A key injury to one of his top targets only added to the challenge.
Enter Xavier Worthy, the blazing fast wide receiver drafted 28th overall in 2024. Worthy turned heads with his record-breaking 4.21-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. As a rookie, he showcased his potential with 59 receptions for 638 yards and six touchdowns.
However, 2025 didn’t go as planned for Worthy. In the season opener against the Chargers in Brazil, a collision with teammate Travis Kelce resulted in a shoulder injury.
This setback lingered throughout the year, limiting Worthy to just one touchdown and 532 yards. The 5-foot-11 receiver later revealed he had been playing through a torn labrum, which he addressed with offseason surgery.
Andy Reid, speaking on Worthy’s potential, expressed optimism for the young receiver’s return to form. He acknowledged the limitations imposed by Worthy’s injury last season, noting, “we were afraid to do certain things with him.” With Worthy expected back at full strength, Reid is eager to unleash the versatile routes that impressed during training camp.
Looking ahead, the Chiefs are poised to bolster their roster in the upcoming NFL Draft on April 23, holding the No. 9 and No. 29 picks in the first round. With these selections, Kansas City has a prime opportunity to add more firepower and depth, setting the stage for a potentially resurgent season.