Chiefs rookie WR Xavier Worthy agrees that 'there's no time to ease in' as training camp kicks off

Some first-round picks can undergo more gradual development.

The Kansas City Chiefs, however, don’t appear to be taking the slow route with their 2024 first-round selection: wide receiver Xavier Worthy. It’s become clear that they expect him to be ready sooner rather than later.

Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes told reporters on Tuesday that there’s “no easing” in the rookie speedster and that Worthy is going to have to “be ready to go to” from the start. The rookie agreed with Mahomes’ assessment.

Worthy expressed to reporters on Wednesday, “Absolutely, I get the sense that there’s no room for a slow start. It’s full steam ahead. Once you’re in, you’re in. I completely comprehend Pat’s perspective, and establishing a strong rapport with him is critical here.”

The Chiefs are gunning for a third straight Super Bowl title, but winning again without more firepower at receiver might be a tall order. Although they also added Hollywood Brown to the position this offseason, there’s still a need for Worthy to get up to speed quickly, as the Chiefs are waiting to hear whether Rashee Rice will face a suspension this season following an automobile crash that resulted in multiple charges this summer.

Worthy suffered through a hamstring injury this spring that kept him out of action until the first day of training camp, and he even missed a few plays Wednesday with what appeared to be a jammed finger before returning to action.

The NFL Scouting Combine’s 40-yard dash king admitted that the hamstring injury was frustrating to him since he’d never missed a game in college because of injury but later said the hamstring is fine, even while he was seen practicing with a wrap on his left hamstring. Worthy said being sidelined this spring forced him to “learn and get better in a different way” while sitting out OTAs, but he’s ready to go now, even if he admitted not quite being 100 percent healthy.

“It feels good,” he expressed. “Today, as I was gradually returning, it felt satisfying to be out here with the fellows just playing football again.”

The Chiefs are instructing Worthy on how to play all the different receiver positions in their offense, beginning with the slot position and later focusing on mastering the “Z” and “X” positions. Worthy has expressed that he has been actively seeking advice from offensive coordinator Matt Nagy, eager to understand the most challenging aspects of the offense. This includes the complexities of the playbook, understanding various formations, and the timing of the plays.

His goal in camp?

“Worthy said, “I aim to be the best version of myself. I believe that if I can do that, I’ll be in a good position.”

On Wednesday, Mahomes took some time to converse with the Chiefs’ rookies, delivering a message that was straightforward and clear.

“All it was about was continuing to go, make plays, and work,” said Worthy.

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