Patrick Mahomes Challenges Chiefs Rookie on Day 2 of Training Camp

The Chiefs’ second unofficial training camp practice is in the books and the team had a clear mission on Thursday to feed the ball to rookie WR Xavier Worthy.

After dealing with a pair of injuries on the first day, Worthy was back on the field and Patrick Mahomes looked his way early and often. Adam Teicher of ESPN reported that Mahomes threw to Worthy on four of his six passes during 7-on-7 drills.

Those actions track with Mahomes’ words, emphasizing the importance of Worthy getting off to a fast start with a difficult schedule to open the season.

National expectations assume Worthy will immediately become a major part of the offense. He had 988 yards from scrimmage and 12 TDs during his freshman season at Texas, so he’s no stranger to hot starts.

Despite not being 100%, Worthy’s ability is being put to the test early. Andy Reid’s training camps are notoriously difficult and the strategy of throwing Worthy to the fire seems to be working. Teicher noted that two of those four passes to Worthy were completed, with one resulting in a red-zone TD.

Given the rookie missed most of the summer programs tending to a hamstring injury, he’s got to make up for lost time a bit. Worthy went through all of the mental reps when he was sidelined, but it’s still critical to build on-field chemistry with Mahomes.

His game-changing speed should open up the offense, allowing more space underneath for Travis Kelce and Rashee Rice to operate. Marquise ‘Hollywood’ Brown brings a similar skillset to the table, giving the Chiefs an offense that should strike fear into defenses’ hearts.

This team can only reach its 2024 ceiling if Worthy performs well. So far so good, and I expect Mahomes to keep going at Worthy for the remainder of camp.