Kansas City Chiefs rookie WR Xavier Worthy was a hot topic after Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season.
The first-round draft pick wasted no time during his debut, turning his first-ever touch into a blazing-fast touchdown. By the end of the game, he’d earned his very own piece of NFL history, stamping his name in the league annals. The performance was so impressive that it left the rest of the league tormenting Buffalo Bills fans for making the trade with Kansas City that allowed them to select Worthy.
Speaking on the latest episode of New Heights, Chiefs TE Travis Kelce and former Eagles C Jason Kelce discussed the triumphant NFL debut by the 21-year-old Worthy.
“The storyline everybody continually is talking about right now, and that is potentially because the bills gave them to you guys, is Xavier Worthy,” Jason began. “The rookie had a big night, finishing with two touchdowns, the first one being a 21-yard run that, I mean, I can’t wait to show this clip. I know we don’t want to talk about (Traivs Kelce’s) blocking, but I love it when somebody picks up two (blocks) in a little end-around play.”
This play isn’t an unfamiliar one in Andy Reid’s offense. He always seems to have a gadget guy who can take advantage of the designed play.
“It’s a staple, man,” Travis said. “It’s a staple when you got a really, really fast guy that’s just good with the ball in his hands.”
“It takes a special player to hit this with the right type of speed,” Jason explained.
Worthy was able to showcase his speed, but also his vision, just like the players who came before him.
“We’ve hit huge games with gains with Mecole Hardman on this play,” Travis said. “Tyreek Hill when he was here, a lot of guys get this thing in space, and they just know how to fearlessly attack the lanes that the O-Line and the tight ends and the wideouts that are on that side of the field are blocking for him. And sure enough, all you’ve really got to do is get a guy that’s good with the ball in his hands rolling on this one.”
Worthy’s demeanor showed that he’s ready for the NFL stage
It’s always a fun moment when you see a player find success in the NFL. A lifetime of dreams all lead up to that very moment. What seemed to get lost in all of Worthy’s success was just how poised, calm, and collected the rookie was. That’s not normal, as Chiefs TE Travis Kelce described.
“That was a fun play to see him get the ball for the first time in the NFL, take it to the house like that on an electric play, like a reverse or an end around,” Travis said. “Happy as hell for him. And another guy, another guy that’s seeing the field, making big plays when the ball is thrown his way. He’s not like, he’s not playing tense, he’s not tight. He’s ready for the moment.
“That’s always one of the questions when you see a young guy come into the league, like, is he going to let the moment get too big? And sure enough, he’s just, he’s cool as the other side of the pillow, baby.”
This team will see many more big moments throughout the 2024 NFL season as they compete for a third consecutive Super Bowl title. Knowing how Worthy handled that first taste of NFL success gives teammates confidence that he’s built for what’s to come.
