When you think of Super Bowl receiving performances in Kansas City Chiefs history, Travis Kelce is usually the first name that comes to mind-and for good reason. Kelce has been a cornerstone of the Chiefs' offense for over a decade, a go-to target in the biggest moments. But if you look a little closer, there’s another name that deserves serious recognition: Xavier Worthy.
Worthy's breakout moment came on the biggest stage in football-the 2024 Super Bowl against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Chiefs didn’t win that game, falling 40-22, but Worthy’s individual performance was nothing short of electric.
It was the kind of showing that doesn’t just flash on the stat sheet-it sticks with you. And while it might not get the same fanfare as a performance in a victory, it’s been recognized where it counts.
Pro Football Focus’ Lauren Gray rated Worthy’s effort as the third-best wide receiver performance in Super Bowl history. That’s not a small nod-it’s a reminder of just how impactful he was, even in defeat.
Let’s break it down.
Worthy was just 21 years old heading into that game, a rookie stepping into the spotlight. And he didn’t just show up-he delivered.
He caught all eight of his targets from Patrick Mahomes, racking up 157 yards and two touchdowns. That’s efficiency and explosiveness rolled into one.
The first half? Quiet.
Just one catch. But everything changed after halftime.
Early in the third quarter, Worthy torched Eagles cornerback Cooper DeJean for a 50-yard gain that jumpstarted the Chiefs’ offense. He capped off that same drive with a 24-yard touchdown-an exclamation point on a statement series.
And he wasn’t done. Late in the game, with the outcome all but decided, Worthy broke loose again for another 50-yard reception and added his second touchdown of the night.
By the end of the game, Mahomes had a perfect 158.3 passer rating when targeting Worthy. That’s not just good chemistry-that’s a quarterback and receiver operating in perfect sync. It’s the kind of connection the Chiefs desperately needed more of that night.
Worthy came into the league with high expectations as Kansas City’s top draft pick that year, and that Super Bowl showing felt like a preview of what was to come. But 2025 didn’t go as planned.
He struggled to find consistency, and his production dipped. Still, it’s important to remember what he accomplished in that rookie season: 59 catches, 638 yards, and six touchdowns.
All of those numbers ranked among the top six for rookie receivers that year, according to Gray. That’s a strong foundation-and a reminder of the ceiling he has.
Now, heading into 2026, getting Xavier Worthy back to that level is a top priority for the Chiefs. Rashee Rice has emerged as a playmaker in his own right, but Worthy brings something different to the table: true vertical speed and field-stretching ability. That’s a game-changer, especially for a quarterback like Mahomes, who thrives when defenses are forced to defend every blade of grass.
With Mahomes likely to be less mobile next season, having a receiver who can create separation quickly and consistently becomes even more critical. Worthy has already shown he can be that guy. The Chiefs just need to unlock that version of him again.
If they do, Kansas City’s offense could be right back to terrifying defenses-and Xavier Worthy might finally get the recognition his Super Bowl performance deserves.