Chiefs WR Xavier Worthy admits he’s playing for more than just a trip to the Super Bowl against the Bills in Sunday's AFC title game
Chiefs fans were dumbfounded when the Buffalo Bills traded the 28th pick in the 2024 NFL draft, allowing Kansas City to select Texas WR Xavier Worthy in the first round. The Bills would go on to select WR Keon Coleman atop the second round, forever linking the two players in NFL draft what-if history. As the AFC […]
Chiefs fans were dumbfounded when the Buffalo Bills traded the 28th pick in the 2024 NFL draft, allowing Kansas City to select Texas WR Xavier Worthy in the first round. The Bills would go on to select WR Keon Coleman atop the second round, forever linking the two players in NFL draft what-if history.
As the AFC Championship Game gets underway on Sunday, Worthy made it clear to reporters that he hasn't forgotten about that moment. Not that he needs extra motivation, but the thought of being unwanted is providing him with a little something more ahead of the game.
"I mean, I take it as a blessing, and I feel like it's a sign that they didn't want me," Worthy told reporters on Friday. "So, at the end of the day, I'm gonna play with a chip on my shoulder. This game means a little bit more. I mean, obviously, it's an AFC Championship Game, but this is a team that traded their pick away to get somebody else."
We'll see if it makes a difference for the rookie, but he's trending in the right direction regardless of the chip he clearly is carrying on his shoulder. Worthy is coming off a three-game stretch where he's recorded 20 receptions for 189 yards and two touchdowns. His hard work has been rewarded with the trust of the coaching staff, his teammates, and, most importantly, his quarterback.
What does he credit for his recent streak of success ahead of the playoffs and during the postseason? He's been acting like a sponge and soaking up everything he can from the veterans in the room to have a greater impact on the game.
"I feel like I just kept stacking every game, all the vets, like Pat (Mahomes), Trav (Kelce), DHop (DeAndre Hopkins), JuJu (Smith-Schuster)," Worthy said. "I mean, having guys like that makes it real easy just to give you insight on the game and just learning from them, and keep taking tools from them. I can't preach it enough; I'm just learning from DHop. As DHop says, I'm kind of like the little brother. So, just getting knowledge from them is just going to keep expanding my game."
When it comes to flipping the script on the Bills after the Week 11 loss, Worthy will lean on all that he's learned so far. He'll also trust the process the coaching staff has put in place. The results that come in the AFC title game will ultimately speak for themselves.
"We left a lot out there on the field," he concluded. "We've just got to execute and just continue with our game plan."
Kansas City Chiefs continue to be beneficiaries of NFL teams making the same old critical mistake after six seasons
It looks increasingly likely that Steve Spagnuolo and Matt Nagy will remain with the Kansas City Chiefs.
