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By Adam Teicher, ESPN staff writer
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Patrick Mahomes and Xavier Worthy formed a chemistry during the Kansas City Chiefs’ first full-player practice of training camp.
Mahomes completed a deep post pattern to Worthy for a touchdown during the team’s first 11-on-11 drill, a play that stoked hopes among the Chiefs that it would be the first of many similar connections.
“He’s very adaptable,” wide receiver Mecole Hardman said of Worthy, the Chiefs’ first-round draft pick in 2024. “He’s got speed, so we’re confident we can use him in a lot of situations, so right now we’re just trying to get him and Pat to work together and carry that into the season.”
In some ways, he and Mahomes are just getting to know each other, as Worthy missed most of offseason practice with a sore hamstring. Mahomes was eager to have Worthy back at practice at the start of camp and said last week that the Chiefs have high expectations for him right away, rather than gradually working him back into the lineup.
Mahomes then threw multiple passes to Worthy during a recent minicamp for quarterbacks and rookies.
“He’s been working hard,” coach Andy Reid said of Worthy. “His hamstring looks better. We’re just going to let him out here and keep working and learning. We’re just going to keep working hard.” [practice] With 12 guys there, there’s a lot more information given to him – formations, shifts, motion – but he did a good job today.”
Worthy ran the 40-yard dash in 4.21 seconds at the scouting combine, the fastest time ever at the event. The Chiefs also signed another speedy wide receiver in veteran Marquise Brown.
“We have a lot of speed,” Hardman said. “I think we have some good players. [and] They bring new energy to the attack and of course there’s Lassie. [Rice]That’s a Bulldog, doing the dirty work, running underhand routes; [run-after-catch] You walk with him for a few yards, and then you also find little gadgets and explosives here and there.
“We all motivate each other. We’re a great team. Everybody knows what’s going on. Everybody knows their role. I think training camp going forward will really establish everybody’s role.”
