NEW ORLEANS – The Chiefs leaned against a rookie wide receiver during a Super Bowl run a year ago.
They are leaning on another this year.
Xavier Worthy recently emerged as a key part of the Chiefs' crime.
He won the Steelers and scored eight catches for 79 yards on Christmas Day.
Then in the AFC Championship Game, he made a game-high 6 catch for a career-high 85 yards.
He also made a highlight catch on the bill with a critical third down.
“Xavier did an amazing job of getting better every week this year. Whether he's on the same page as Patrick, he's on his route or not. [Mahomes]. He's working very hard in that part of his game,” Chief Coach Andy Reed said. “It paid off late in the season. He's not a big guy. Being able to endure the playoff games in addition to 17 games is a homage to him and his conditioning.”
In the NFL Scouting Combine, Worthy Worthy turned his head when he set up a new record with a 4.21 seconds time on a 40-yard dash.
The Chiefs chose him in the first round, poses a new speed threat to Mahomes.
Worthy got off to a slightly late start, but his role increased after Lacy Rice, who received the sensation last year, fell with a knee injury mid-season.
He finished the year when he received 59 receptions and six touchdowns for 638 yards.
He leads the Chiefs in the postseason, catching 11 with 13 targets.
“I've always known Xavier would be a great footballer. Obviously, the talent is there, but the way he works. He chases it. [and] He is very clever. We put a lot on his plate and he wants more,” Mahomes said. “He wants to continue to get better and be great for the football team.”
Worthy has the opportunity to close out his rookie season with the Super Bowl title.
“This is something you can't imagine,” said Value. “It was one thing to be drafted here. It was another thing to go back to the Super Bowl, back to back.”
