Pro Football Rumors
In Year 5 post-Tyreek Hill, the Chiefs are still waiting for their wide receiver plan to pay off. They have been unable to count on any of their wideouts since trading the all-time NFL speed merchant. Injuries, suspensions and poor evaluation at the position has led to aerial inconsistency.
The Chiefs have seen Patrick Mahomes‘ production dip from his stratospheric first five seasons, and even as two more Super Bowl berths came during the period since Mahomes’ 2022 MVP season, limitations have surfaced on offense. Kansas City ranked 15th in scoring offense in 2023 and ’24 before slinking to 21st during a 6-11 season Mahomes did not finish. As Mahomes winds down his recovery from ACL and LCL tears, the team is still hoping for a payoff on recent receiver investments.
[RELATED: Chris Jones’ Post-2026 Chiefs Future Uncertain]
While Rashee Rice has dominated the unreliability-based headlines among Chiefs WRs, Xavier Worthy has not yet justified his first-round draft slot. The explosive pass catcher compiled 157 receiving yards in Super Bowl LIX, with garbage time in the Eagles’ rout contributing heavily to that total, but saw any momentum from that finish stall after a labrum tear sustained in Week 1 last season. The Brazil injury sidelined Worthy for two games, but he returned and played with a harness. Putting off surgery until the offseason, the 2024 first-rounder finished with 532 receiving yards and just one touchdown in 2025.
Worthy has not developed into a deep threat despite his Combine-record 4.21-second 40-yard dash clocking, but The Athletic’s Jesse Newell notes the Texas product impressed during Kansas City’s offseason program. Andy Reid also said this offseason the Chiefs limited Worthy’s route tree following his shoulder injury. On track to be at full strength ahead of his third season, Worthy will be a bounce-back candidate.
Although the Chiefs have not received an indication a second Rice suspension is coming, the team’s embattled No. 1 wideout is not in the clear yet after a probation violation keyed a 30-day prison stay. The Chiefs are not expected to engage with Rice on extension talks in the near future, highlighting Worthy’s importance. The 165-pound pass catcher is signed for two more seasons, with a fifth-year option available for 2028. The Chiefs will need to make their option decision by May 2027, and Worthy’s 2026 season will go a long way toward determining how the AFC West club proceeds.
Missing on the Skyy Moore second-round pick and the Kadarius Toney trade, the Chiefs have seen Rice play in only 12 games over the past two seasons. The 2023 second-round pick is now in a contract year. K.C. let Marquise Brown walk (to Philadelphia) in free agency after the former first-rounder underwhelmed during a two-year stop. The team re-signed Tyquan Thornton to a two-year, $11MM deal but has been connected to potentially pursuing another veteran. A few intriguing options — a list headlined by Stefon Diggs and Deebo Samuel — are available, but a Worthy emergence would help provide...
