Chiefs position coach thinks WR Xavier Worthy's rookie season could get off to a better start than Rashee Rice's in 2023
Kansas City Chiefs WR Rashee Rice managed a prolific rookie campaign in 2023, and it appears a new rookie is poised to surpass him. Rice broke the franchise record for receptions and the franchise record for touchdown receptions by a rookie in a single season. He finished second to only Dwayne Bowe in receiving yards (938) and targets […]
Kansas City Chiefs WR Rashee Rice managed a prolific rookie campaign in 2023, and it appears a new rookie is poised to surpass him.
Rice broke the franchise record for receptions and the franchise record for touchdown receptions by a rookie in a single season. He finished second to only Dwayne Bowe in receiving yards (938) and targets (102). He also set a postseason record for the franchise, recording the most receiving yards in a single game by a rookie.
It wasn't just a record-breaking season for the franchise, but it was the best rookie season by a receiver under Chiefs HC Andy Reid, who is known for having a tough offense for receivers to master. That's because Reid asks them to know every position inside and out before they're entrusted to contribute.
Rice didn't immediately contribute in a big way in 2023 for that reason. He had a much more incremental growth process throughout the season. As Xavier Worthy looks to make his mark in Kansas City, Chiefs WR coach Connor Embree says that the rookie has stood out in the classroom with his ability to master Coach Reid's playbook and offense.
"Yeah, he's been great," Embree said of Worthy. "He's been working hard and picking up the playbook. That's probably been the best thing, or most impressive thing, to me, is how quickly he's been picking up the playbook."
Worthy will do more than Rice did for the Chiefs early as a rookie
Worthy's ability to pick up the playbook quickly has set him up for early success in Kansas City. Embree already expects that he'll do more than Rice did, but they'll make an effort to ensure he's not biting off more than he can chew.
"Yeah, yeah, he'll probably do a little more than Rashee (Rice) did," Embree said. "But still probably not try to overload him and let him get his feet wet and build it up."
The first-round draft pick has already proven his chops as a threat in the deep passing game at training camp, and he's starting to make some tough contested grabs, too. He's also been improving against press coverage as training camp has gone on, which is a positive sign for the future.
Worthy won't directly benefit from Hollywood Brown's injury absence given the fact that he was already starting opposite Brown and Rice. However, Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub indicated on Wednesday that they might take Worthy off punt return duties because they need him on offense. That sure sounds like a player on a collision course for a big role as a rookie.
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