Xavier Worthy's return to the Kansas City Chiefs' offense was eagerly anticipated for good reason. Everyone watching the Chiefs host the Baltimore Ravens in Week 4 expected some level of offensive ascent, for an oft-struggling unit to look better -- perhaps exponentially -- with Worthy back in the fold following an injury to start the year. So in that way, Worthy's effectiveness wasn't all that surprising.
What was overlooked (or underplayed) was just how much Worthy's presence in the offense would affect everyone and everything else. With Worthy's elite speed and overall skill set back on the field following a torn labrum suffered in Week 1, the entire offense began to work on another level, an engine roaring back to life with Patrick Mahomes at the wheel.
The end result was 37 points scored, a 17-point victory over Baltimore, and an evening of the team's record after a frustrating 0-2 start. As for Worthy, he led the Chiefs in both rushing and receiving, with 121 yards from scrimmage in the game. And as he forced the defense to respect his dynamism, he allowed others to shine even brighter.
On the latest episode of New Heights, the popular podcast hosted by brothers Travis Kelce and Jason Kelce, Worthy received his fair share of praise from both. As the Kelces went back over the Chiefs' performance in Week 4, Worthy's impact stood out as a major talking point.
"It is crazy how much that threat of speed and vertical ability to push the ball down the field affects the entire offense," said Jason Kelce in response to Worthy's elite speed. "I know it's more complicated than that, but I've played with quarterbacks when you kind of lack that ability. It shrinks everything and what you're able to do.
"It really is an important part of the game. And it was evident right from the get-go of the game. The end-around design to him, the reverse design to Worthy was fantastic as well, but those catches down the field opened up so much."
Not only was Worthy's ability to stretch the field such a vital component, but Travis was quick to champion Worthy's well-rounded game -- that it's more than just being able to run fast.
"You were talking about Xavier and his speed down the field. I don't think enough is said about what he does with just the ball in his hands. Like you said, the end around. We can throw a little bubble screen out to him. Just throw a hitch to him or get him in a play-action pass in the flat. Whatever the play design is, if we get the ball in his hands, it's even harder for the defense to tackle the guy," said Travis Kelce.
Worthy came into his second season with a lot of momentum after putting up 287 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns in three postseason games for the Chiefs in his rookie year. The unfortunate shoulder injury robbed him of showcasing his development for the first three games of the year, but the splash in Week 4 was a great reminder for those who'd forgotten just how good he looked down the stretch.
Perhaps Travis sums Worthy's impact best." A lot of attention needs to be put on that guy, man, and that just makes it easier on everybody."