Patrick Mahomes Puts Pressure On Rookie Wideout: ‘No Easing Into The Offense’

The mission in Kansas City is to go for a third consecutive Super Bowl appearance –  after all, Patrick Mahomes and co. won the past two Super Bowls.

Last season saw Kansas City obtain their fourth title through dominant defensive play – the Chiefs’ defense surrendered 15.8 points per game to four of the NFL’s top offenses last season.

Despite the defense’s success in the playoffs, it shadowed a significant issue with the Chiefs: the receiving core. Mahomes said the team “felt like we didn’t play our best football” during the regular season regarding their receivers. Rashee Rice dropped eight passes, while Marques Valdes-Scantling caught one touchdown last season. The organization signed Marquise Brown and drafted Xavier Worthy to combat this issue.

Worthy suffered a hamstring injury, resulting in the receiver missing OTAs and rookie minicamp. On Wednesday, the former Longhorn returned on time for the Chiefs’ first training camp practice. Mahomes said that Worthy won’t be getting special treatment.

“There’s no easing,” Mahomes commented. “He’s going to have to be ready to go. We got a lot of competition on this offense. Y’all saw it with Rashee last year and some of the throwing-up days he had. We’re going to push you to the limit and prepare yourself to be ready for the season.”

Rice could be suspended due to his involvement in a high-speed car crash in Dallas this offseason. The wideout was charged with a count of aggravated assault, one count of collision involving serious bodily injury and six counts of collision involving injury. If a suspension occurs, more pressure will be put on Worthy to form a reliable target for Mahomes.