Patrick Mahomes: Xavier Worthy made big plays and big moments

Wide receiver Xavier Worthy was the Chiefs’ first-round pick because they thought he could be a playmaker in their offense, and it didn’t take long for Worthy to prove the team right in his debut.

Worthy tied the score at 7-7 with a 21-yard run in the first quarter and struck again in the fourth quarter. Worthy got behind the Ravens defense and caught a 35-yard touchdown on a pass from Patrick Mahomes that put the Chiefs ahead 27-17 and put them on their way to a 27-20 home victory to open the 2024 season.

After the game, Mahomes said Worthy’s presence “opens up new opportunities” as defenses have to watch out for his speed, and praised the rookie’s ability to handle being in the spotlight.

“He is so cool, calm and relaxed all the time“, Mahomes said, via Adam Teicher of ESPN.com. “You never see the excitement in his face, but he goes out there and makes plays. Obviously we want to use him more and more, but I thought he had a great day today and made big plays and big moments.”

According to NFL Media, Worthy is the fifth receiver to catch a 30-yard touchdown and run for a 20-yard touchdown in a game. Chiefs coach Andy Reid has been involved in four of those — DeSean Jackson did it twice with the Eagles and Tyreek Hill once with the Chiefs — and Worthy will likely get chances to add to that number, given how quickly he’s felt at home in the Chiefs’ offense.