Andy Reid gives initial impressions of Xavier Worthy
The Kansas City Chiefs are excited to test out first-round draft pick Xavier Worthy and his legendary wheels this season. The No. 28 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Worthy hit the field with the Chiefs for the first time for rookie minicamp this week and left a good first impression on head coach Andy Reid.
“I thought he did a nice job picking things up and working through, we asked him to do a whole lot of stuff there,” Reid said on Monday. “We put him in a primary spot and it was good for him to get in there and move around a bit. He’s a sharp kid.”
Worthy was a dangerous receiver and punt returner for the Longhorns last season. He caught 75 passes for 1,014 yards and five touchdowns and averaged nearly 17 yards per punt return. After an impressive season for Texas, he then went and broke the NFL Combine’s record for the fastest 40 in NFL history, clocking in a 4.21-second 40-yard dash.
Though he wasn’t the first wide receiver taken in the draft, Worthy has the opportunity to do what few first-round receivers do this season – and that’s win a Super Bowl in Year 1.
Worthy ready for high expectations with Chiefs
Coming in as the back-to-back Super Bowl champion’s first-round pick has Worthy shouldering a lot of expectations. However, this week, the former Longhorn said that weight isn’t as heavy as some might think. As he said during a press conference, the team’s only desire is that he arrives ready to compete. That’s easy enough for him considering what he’s willing to do as a rookie for his new team.
“Their expectations of me was coming in willing to work,” said Worthy. “I feel like, whatever they need me to do, whatever I have to do, I’m going to do it just to get on the field.”
That doesn’t change Worthy’s expectations for himself, though. He anticipates being on the field and excelling as he always has as a weapon.
“Always to play and be the best me,” Worthy added. “That’s just my expectations.”
The receiving corps has been a recent topic of concern for Kansas City, especially this past season. Since they traded Tyreek Hill away to Miami, the Chiefs have relied on several wide receivers to make up for his production, including former rookie Rashee Rice. Unfortunately, it looks like Rice will be suspended for at least part of the 2024 season due to his multi-car crash in Dallas in March.
On3’s Sam Gillenwater contributed to this report.