Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid speak out on Xavier Worthy’s progress in pre-season

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Despite two defeats in their two pre-season games, the Kansas City Chiefs are getting their act together and gradually finding the best way to utilise the best qualities of their young talents.

Such is the case with Xavier Worthy, the rookie who has raised expectations the most for the 2024 season.

The wide receiver had been a bit of a concern at the rookie minicamp due to an injury he had suffered, but his health seems to be back on track.

In the 24-23 loss to the Detroit Lions, the pass-catcher’s performance caught the eye.

There’s still one more ‘test’ game to find more ways to get the best out of Worthy.

Andy Reid’s strategy

During the defeat to the Jacksonville Jaguars, the WR’s performance went unnoticed, as he didn’t catch any passes.

That’s why head coach Andy Reid decided it was time to do something different in the last matchup so he could analyse the rookie more.

“We had a couple different things in there to try to get him the ball,” Reid said after the loss. “You noticed last week he didn’t have a chance – so we tried to get it to him today.”

Quarterback Patrick Mahomes also commented on Worthy’s game: “It was super important. Obviously, you saw that we were kind of majoring in that early; trying to get him some routes where he can go out there and win.”

The signal-caller had been saying that he would like to see more of the rookie and that he hoped he would be 100% ready for the regular season, because the team would need him.

KC also has Rashee Rice, who is entering his second year in the NFL and is an important weapon for the offence.

Mahomes spoke about finding a point between Worthy and Rice where they can both contribute to the game and gain confidence on the pitch.

“You want to not put them [too much in] harm’s way, but you want them to go out there and get some confidence going.”

Worthy’s performance against the Lions

Apart from the game being about Mahomes’ behind-the-back pass to Travis Kelce, Xavier was able to show a little of his talent and why he managed to break the record at the Combine.

Worthy caught two passes from Mahomes last Saturday. In addition, the freshman ran over Detroit’s secondary and caught a 22-yard touchdown from Carson Wentz.

After Holywood Brown’s injury in the first quarter of the opening game of the pre-season, Worthy’s presence should become more constant and his place in the team more consolidated.

He’ll probably have to compete with Rice for a possible starting spot, but it doesn’t look like the role is absolute for anyone just yet.

Reid on other teams’ respect for Worthy

The show put on by the pass-catcher on Saturday raises his profile in the league. Also because he wasn’t among the top picks in the 2024 Draft.

Andy Reid made a point of saying that Worthy’s touchdown reception was crucial for him to start marking his territory in the NFL.

“Xavier’s speed, and being able to get through, make people honor him. So that’s two people on him – [and] that’s a big thing.”

In reality, the TD he scored was theoretically not a planned play. Wentz had the feeling that the kid would be able to catch the ball and threw it to him.

Pat Mahomes saw this as a positive move. It’s hard for a newcomer to be able to take on a football that wasn’t meant for him, it’s a sign that his ability to improvise and go outside the box is good.

“That’s good for me to see, because then maybe as the game goes on [and] the year goes on – maybe [we] get a similar type of situation and know that he can win versus that one-on-one man coverage. It’s something that I can put in the cabinet, knowing that I can maybe bring out later in the year.”

Xavier Worthy has the potential to make some things easier for the Chiefs

Worthy’s speed could certainly bring more depth to Kansas City’s offense, as well as naturally enabling Mahomes to throw long balls.

What’s more, his presence in the final third of the field helps to free up the marking of other players, so the balance has everything to be more than positive.

“It helps open up the whole entire football field. He clears out, I think, two or three guys. Then you can hit J-Wat there in that medium-type range,” said the QB. “It’s going to help everyone in the entire offense.”

Obviously, Worthy didn’t do everything right. The signal-caller commented on the erosion also being part of the team’s ability to adjust to the challenges.

“You’re not going to win every rep, but I’m going to try to put it out there. Even though it didn’t work, you know that it gets noted by the defense. They see it and are like, we’ve just got to know the right time and right place for it.

It’s likely that, among the team’s receivers, Worthy will be among the top four: Hollywood Brown, Rashee Rice and Justin Watson.

Mecole Hardman, who scored the Chiefs’ game-winning touchdown in the Super Bowl against the San Francisco 49ers, should stay in the background or eventually be used on special teams.