The Kansas City Chiefs are relying on several factors to return to the Super Bowl in 2024, including the continued growth of wide receiver Xavier Worthy. The sophomore receiver, taken in the first round of the 2024 <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/football/nfl/”>NFL draft, is showing promising signs of improvement as he prepares for his second season.
Senior team reporter Matt McMullen spoke about Worthy’s progress during an appearance on the NFL Spotlight with Ari Meirov, offering insights into how the young receiver is evolving beyond just raw speed.
Xavier Worthy’s Progress Signals a Breakthrough in Year Two
Entering his sophomore year, Worthy is widely regarded as a more complete player compared to his rookie campaign. McMullen highlighted this growth, noting that Worthy’s skill set extends well past his well-known speed.
The 40 time, in my mind, was almost a bad thing for him in terms of how people perceived him because he gets lumped in with these track stars. He’s very fast, but he’s more than that.
—Ari Meirov, NFL Reporter
This assessment indicates that Worthy’s impact could soon be substantial. While his remarkable speed put him on the radar, his overall ability to run precise routes and use his strength enhances his value to the Chiefs. His college career underscores this potential, as he amassed 2,755 receiving yards and 26 touchdowns, in addition to leading the nation in punt return yards during his junior year.
During his rookie NFL season, Worthy was heavily involved, catching 59 passes for 638 yards and six touchdowns on 98 targets. He also demonstrated versatility with 20 rushing attempts for 104 yards and three rushing scores. Despite these numbers, there remains considerable room for growth as he readies for a larger role in 2025.
Challenges in 2024 Forced Worthy into an Early Leadership Role
Worthy’s rookie season unfolded differently than initially planned. The Chiefs expected him to complement established receivers <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/tag/rashee-rice/”>Rashee Rice and Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, alongside tight end Travis Kelce. However, injuries disrupted this structure. Brown suffered a sternoclavicular injury in the preseason, Rice endured a season-ending knee injury less than two months into the season, and Kelce’s performance showed signs of decline.
These setbacks thrust Worthy into a leading offensive role at just 21 years old, accelerating his learning curve. McMullen considers this unexpected responsibility beneficial for his growth.
He has crazy speed, but he’s so much more than just a burner, I think he’s really a complete receiver that has great strength. Yeah, his route running has been improved as well. In a way, even though last year didn’t go quite as planned with the receiver corps, which is an understatement, losing Hollywood and Rashee early on, I think it ended up being a benefit for him in the long run and his career because he had to step up and be the guy.
—Matt McMullen, Chiefs Senior Reporter
Worthy’s increased responsibility translated into tangible performance improvements. Before Week 11 and the Chiefs’ matchup against the Buffalo Bills, he averaged only two receptions and 27 yards per game. After that point, his averages jumped to 5.6 receptions and 56 yards per game. His standout postseason included an 8-catch, 157-yard, two-touchdown performance in Super Bowl LIX against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Looking Ahead: Worthy’s Role Remains Crucial Amid Chiefs’ Injury Concerns
Despite some stability returning to the receiving corps, challenges persist. Marquise Brown has resumed practicing but remains injury-prone, and Rashee Rice faces a likely suspension during the upcoming season. These uncertainties underscore the importance of Worthy’s continued development and reliability.
As the Chiefs aim to defend their AFC title and make another Super Bowl run, Worthy’s sophomore season could be pivotal. His increasing mastery of route running and his blend of speed and strength position him to become a key offensive threat. If his trajectory continues upward, the Chiefs will have a dynamic weapon capable of influencing game outcomes in critical moments.