Andy Reid head coach Kansas City Chiefs
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KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - DECEMBER 14: Head coach Andy Reid of the Kansas City Chiefs watches warm-ups prior to the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Arrowhead Stadium on December 14, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
The Kansas City Chiefs are making their final preparations for the 2026 NFL Draft, which is less than three weeks away.
They have several needs throughout their roster, but may now have less of one at the wide receiver position following the news that Rashee Rice will not face discipline for an off-field legal situation.
With Rice in the clear, the Chiefs likely feel pretty good about their trio of him, Xavier Worthy, and Tyquan Thornton. They will almost certainly add another receiver to the mix during the draft, but may hold off until the middle or late rounds. We can also draw that prediction back to coach Andy Reid’s recent comments about Worthy specifically.
Kansas City Chiefs HC Andy Reid Has High Hopes for WR Xavier Worthy in 2026
Xavier Worthy
GettyChiefs WR Xavier Worthy
Reid spoke to the media during the NFL’s annual league meetings last week, and noted that Worthy should be fully recovered from the shoulder and ankle injuries that plagued him for most of the 2025 season.
“He’ll be fine,” Reid told reporters.
Reid also mentioned that he had to limit what Worthy could do within the offense last year because of his ailments.
“That was a unique deal,” Reid said. “I would tell you that we kind of, after that, we were afraid to do certain things with (Worthy). So I think him coming back healthy, I think opens up that whole picture you saw during training camp, where he had a whole bunch of different routes in there.”
Reid specifically identified Worthy’s best traits, such has working across the middle and deep down the field, were impacted the most by his injuries.
“He’s fearless across the middle,” Reid continued. “As a matter of fact, that’s one of the best things he does, is working underneath and over the top in that. So we kind of stayed away from that.”
Worthy showed a lot of promise as a rookie in 2024, recording 59 receptions for 638 yards and six touchdowns, as well as an additional three rushing touchdowns. In Super Bowl LIX he racked up a whopping 157 receiving yards and 2 TDs. However, his production took a step back in 2025, posting 42 catches for 542 yards and just one TD in 14 games.
Xavier Worthy Is Crucial to Chiefs’ Future Success
Kansas City selected Worthy in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft at No. 28 overall. His blazing 4.21 40-yard dash speed, which is an NFL Scouting Combine record, helped put Worthy on the map as a prospect in a big way. Early on during his rookie year, the Chiefs mostly used him as a deep ball and gadget player.
However, in the second half of the season, his role expanded as his route running became more polished. As he enters his third year in 2026, there shouldn’t be anything holding him back, mentally or physically. The big concern about Worthy moving forward will be remaining healthy playing at 5-foot-11 and 165 pounds.
He is under contract through the 2027 season, and will be in 2028 as well if the Chiefs decide to pick up his fifth-year option. If Worthy plays up to his potential, which could be Pro Bowl caliber, he will likely remain in Kansas City for the long haul. With Reid firmly in his corner, that is enough reason for optimism.