The Kansas City Chiefs’ locker room was filled with tension Sunday night after a heartbreaking 31–28 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, but it wasn’t just the officiating that had head coach Andy Reid fuming. In a rare public move, Reid directly called out rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy, questioning his focus and execution during key moments of the game.
The loss marked the Chiefs’ second defeat of the season, and according to Reid, several “avoidable mistakes” cost the team what could have been a crucial victory. But one mistake stood out — a dropped pass by Worthy late in the fourth quarter that would have put the Chiefs in field goal range. Instead, the drive ended in a turnover on downs, sealing the Jaguars’ win.
“He’s got to step up and play like a Chief,” Reid said bluntly in his postgame press conference. “We believe in him, but belief only goes so far. At some point, you’ve got to make the plays that matter.”
Reid’s comments shocked reporters, as the veteran coach is known for protecting his players publicly. But this time, frustration seemed to boil over after weeks of inconsistency from the Chiefs’ young receiving corps.
Worthy, the team’s first-round draft pick, has shown flashes of brilliance with his blazing speed and agility. Yet, his struggles with dropped passes and route timing have become a growing concern among coaches and fans alike. Against Jacksonville, Worthy was targeted six times but caught only two passes for 27 yards — a stat line that fell far below expectations.
After the press conference, Reid reportedly had a one-on-one conversation with Worthy in the locker room. While details of the exchange remain private, insiders described it as “intense but constructive.” One team source told NFL Network:
“Coach loves Xavier’s potential, but he’s sending a message — this is the NFL. Talent doesn’t mean anything if you can’t execute under pressure.”
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes also addressed the rookie’s struggles, offering a more supportive tone.
“We all make mistakes,” Mahomes said. “Xavier’s got the talent to be great. He just needs to keep his head up, keep working, and trust that we’ve got his back.”
Still, the moment marks a turning point in the young receiver’s early career. With the Chiefs’ offense struggling to find rhythm beyond Travis Kelce, Reid’s patience is clearly running thin. Fans have already begun to debate whether Worthy deserves a starting role moving forward, especially with veteran receivers like Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Rashee Rice waiting for more opportunities.
The Chiefs (3–2) will next face the Buffalo Bills, a team known for its punishing defense — meaning Worthy will have little time to bounce back.
Reid closed the press conference with a final warning that left no room for misinterpretation:
“We’re not in the business of excuses,” he said. “You wear that red jersey, you represent a standard. And that standard doesn’t change — not for anyone.”
For Xavier Worthy, the message was clear: the time to prove himself is now.
