Xavier Worthy, the former Texas Longhorn, had a bit of a rocky start in the NFL with a hamstring injury that nagged him throughout his rookie offseason. That slowed his preparation, making his debut year more of a scramble than a sprint.
Fast forward to his sophomore campaign, and Worthy is now in prime form. This is the speedster who set the NFL Combine on fire with his record-breaking 40-yard dash.
This offseason, he made the most of his newfound health, linking up with quarterback Patrick Mahomes for workouts back in Texas, solidifying a partnership that began to flourish late last season.
"It's a whole new experience for me," Worthy shared during a press conference on Thursday. "Last year, I was dealing with the hamstring issue, so having this time for extra drills and bonding with Patrick is invaluable."
His words reflect a young player eager to capitalize on the chemistry with his elite QB, a connection that began finding its rhythm towards the end of last year. "The way we closed last season felt like a milestone," Worthy noted.
"I started to really grasp what Patrick prefers on the field, and that understanding only grew. Now, I plan to build on that momentum."
Worthy turned heads from Week 11 onward, consistently racking up at least four catches and 40 yards in every outing. He wrapped up his initial regular season with an impressive 59 catches, totaling 638 yards and punching in nine touchdowns.
His impact was amplified as the Chiefs charged through the playoffs, showing marked improvement in each matchup in terms of catches, targets, yards, and touchdowns. Even in the face of the Chiefs' tough Super Bowl LIX loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, Worthy was a standout, hauling in eight receptions for 157 yards and two touchdowns.
A remarkable feat considering all but one of those catches came in the second half when the game was virtually out of reach. He showcased his knack for the long ball, a skill that could redefine future game plans.
"It highlighted what we can achieve moving forward," Worthy remarked.
As the Chiefs gear up for the upcoming 2025-26 season, they'll welcome Rashee Rice back into the mix alongside Worthy and Marquise Brown. This trio gives Mahomes a dynamic set of targets to work with. Having earned Mahomes' trust through the latter part of last season, the Texas alum seems poised to be a key figure in Kansas City's offensive narrative, leading what promises to be an explosive receiver lineup.
