Exclusive:Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes has high expectations for rookie receiver

Rookie receiver Xavier Worthy may have a steep learning curve, but Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is giving the wide receiver little room for error.

“There’s no easing [Worthy into the offense],” Mahomes said in a Tuesday news conference. “He’s going to have to be ready to go. We got a lot of competition on this offense. He got a lot of mental work in these last few weeks that he had during OTAs and minicamp, but it’s time to go now.”

Last season, the Chiefs won their third Super Bowl in five years despite an inconsistent receiving corps that tested Mahomes’ patience. Per Pro Football Reference, Kansas City was second-to-last in the league in average target depth (6.2 yards) and first in drop percentage (6.9%).

The team clearly believes Worthy could be an immediate difference-maker after trading three picks to the Buffalo Bills in order to move up from No. 32 to No. 28 overall and draft the former Texas standout.

The 21-year-old wideout missed most of OTAs and mandatory minicamp with a lingering hamstring injury. However, Mahomes worked with him in Texas this offseason and liked what he saw.

“He wasn’t scared of the moment,” Mahomes said. “That’s a big thing. I remember when I came in as a rookie, I didn’t get thrown in with the ‘ones’ like that. He’s coming straight in from combine training and [getting] thrown in with the ‘ones’ — and he’s competing. He’s not making the same mistakes twice — and that’s huge.”

While Worthy faces high expectations, he has the talent to meet them. In 14 games in 2023, the former Longhorn recorded 75 receptions for 1,014 yards and five TD catches, earning a third-team All-American nod. He also broke the 40-yard dash record (4.21 seconds) during the NFL Scouting Combine earlier this offseason.

“The Chiefs haven’t had a speedster with high-end receiving ability since trading Tyreek Hill to the Dolphins two years ago,” writes Jim Wyman and Dalton Wasserman of Pro Football Focus. “With Worthy, that element should be firmly reestablished in this offense.”