Kansas City Chiefs fans got a little more reason to feel better about Xavier Worthy’s third NFL season after the wideout talked Wednesday about his health, his role and what it means to have Patrick Mahomes back in the mix.
Worthy enters this year coming off a 2025 season that never quite matched the promise of his rookie year. He finished with 532 yards and one touchdown after putting up 638 yards and six scores as a first-year pro, and the shoulder injury he dealt with as a sophomore clearly limited what he could do. Now, though, he says he’s healthy and ready for a bigger job.
When asked how his role could grow, Worthy pointed straight to the part of the field the Chiefs have been missing.
"Just being that down the field vertical threat and obviously running more routes where I could be physical at the top of the route. Last year, I obviously wasn't able to do that. I had the shoulder [injury], so now I'm healthy, so I can do that."
That kind of speed and separation is exactly what Kansas City has been searching for. The Chiefs haven’t had much of a legitimate downfield threat lately, and it’s taken away one of the easiest ways for Mahomes to punish defenses. If Worthy can become that guy, the offense gets a lot more dangerous in a hurry.
He also sounded confident about Mahomes being available when the season opens against the Broncos in Week 1. Asked about the quarterback’s return to the lineup, Worthy didn’t leave much room for doubt.
"Oh, he's back, ain't no potentially," Worthy said. "Whatever he puts his mind to, he's going to do. And obviously, he kind of leads the team in that way."
That matters for Worthy, who needs a productive third season and would obviously benefit from Mahomes throwing him the football.
There’s also a new voice in the wide receivers room. The Chiefs brought in Chad O'Shea this offseason, and Worthy made it clear the coach is already pushing hard.
"Man, Coach O'Shea, he's going to work you. I know you all hear it out there.
He's yelling 'Finish, finish, finish!'," Worthy said. "Coach O'Shea, man, his leadership, obviously, that was huge for us.
He's a leader in the receiving room, and obviously, he puts a lot on us, but I feel like we can handle this. So, great addition to the room."
O'Shea, who spent six seasons with the Browns as wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator, arrives with plenty of experience. If he can help unlock better production from Kansas City’s receivers, it could end up being one of the offseason’s best moves.
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