Chiefs Coach Gives Xavier Worthy Bad News as Patrick Mahomes Switches Training Camp Roles

Kansas City invested heavily in Xavier Worthy’s elite speed, a 4.21-second testament from the 2024 NFL Combine. But his rookie season rarely matched that promise, culminating in an underutilized performance during the Chiefs’ Super Bowl LIX defeat. After Rasee Rice’s season ended with a knee injury in Week 4, it seemed like their hunt for a true field-stretching playmaker finally ended with Worthy. Now, though, that belief is starting to crumble.

While he did haul in 59 catches for 638 yards and 6 touchdowns during the regular season, of those 59 catches, 53 were either behind the line of scrimmage or within 10 yards of it, per the Kansas City Star. The 22-year-old rookie also found himself on the receiving end of just three plays 20-plus yards beyond the line. This is why, even before Worthy kicks off his year 2, the special teams coach Dave Toub’s concerning comments have introduced a sudden, consequential uncertainty to his role, impacting the Chiefs’ evolving offensive calculus.

With Rashee Rice’s murky 2025 outlook, the Chiefs were counting on Worthy to be a reliable replacement—the burner Mahomes could lean on when plays broke down and trust was thin. However, during a press session, Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub delivered the blow with almost casual finality, as posted by chiefstalk on Instagram Stories.

When asked about punt returners, Toub said Nikko Remigio was “far and above” everyone else. He praised SMU RB Breshard Smith and finally said, “Xavier Worthy, too—when he’s allowed to work back there.” Whether it’s injury-related or strategic preservation, Kansas City just slammed the brakes on Worthy’s involvement.

However, he isn’t losing his role as Kansas City’s top deep threat just yet. Despite a not-too-impressive regular season, it was the postseason where the 22-year-old lit up the stage, posting 19 receptions for 287 yards and 3 scores across just three games. But in a team full of shifting pieces and post-Super Bowl sting, the Chiefs were hoping to give Worthy even more to do.

Chiefs special teams coach Dave Toub didn’t hide it this offseason: “He’s the best punt returner nobody knows about right now in the league.” And Worthy? He was ready to own it. “I think every time I touch the ball, I’m liable to score,” he said. “So if I have that chance to be on punt return and change the game for my team, I’m gonna do it.”

The plan made sense. Kansas City needed a spark to reclaim the throne after falling to the Eagles in the Super Bowl. Worthy didn’t have a single punt return as a rookie, but unleashing him in space felt like a subtle masterstroke, an ace up Andy Reid’s sleeve. Except now? That card is back in the deck. As the team resets, that punt return role is likely going to someone else. And Patrick Mahomes? He’s adjusting in ways few quarterbacks ever think to. The Chiefs’ MVP isn’t coasting on legacy; he’s digging into the seams of football, reshaping his own ceiling to help patch the team’s.

Top Comment by straw walker

Worthy is an extreme asset as a WR, so should not be used in a punt return play, where injuries...more

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PUNTRICK mode activated: Mahomes is doing it all to win again

When the Chiefs’ social media team posted a clip of Patrick Mahomes booming a practice punt captioned “PUNTRICK MAHOMES.” But beyond that viral moment, it was the 29-year-old refusing to coast. After three rings and a decorated resume, Mahomes is still hunting for ways to expand his influence.

Earlier this week, during the Chiefs’ first practice, when Mahomes was seen completing one such pass to Worthy, a sight that brought some relief to Kansas City fans. And when asked about his deep passes, the 3x Super Bowl champion did not shy away from admitting the lapses. “I think for me, I have to be better at throwing the ball down the field,” Mahomes said. “I mean, obviously, we weren’t good enough there… In order for our offense to be great, you have to be able to complete those passes. It opens up everything else.”

Now, with the regular season barely a month away, do you think the Chiefs will be able to fix their deep pass problems?