Chiefs rookie WR Xavier Worthy weighs in on recent missed deep shots with QB Patrick Mahomes

Kansas City Chiefs HC Andy Reid, OC Matt Nagy, and QB Patrick Mahomes have each talked about the deep passing game struggles, specifically those involving rookie WR Xavier Worthy on the sideline over the past several weeks. Now,  Worthy had a chance to say his piece. 

Where does the blame fall? 

"Right, man, it's just the communication," Worthy told reporters on Friday. "Especially because I'm a young player. It's our (Patrick Mahomes & Xavier Worthy's) first time playing together. So, it's just building that chemistry."

Asked whether it's difficult to practice those long shot plays where you're trying to drag your feet, Worthy made an honest admission. 

"I mean, you can't replicate it," he said. "It's just something that you've got to learn over time. So, man, I'm just learning. It's a hard thing to learn in the moment, but it's all going to be worth it (in the end)." 

Players like DeAndre Hopkins and JuJu Smith-Schuster have spoken about the advice they've given to Worthy during his rookie campaign. Those veterans have been the ones to encourage him most in all of the various learning experiences, both positive and negative.

"They're the ones that told me it's going to come over time, like just learning," Worthy said. "Everybody could tell you, but it's just, it's different in the heat of the moment."

The sideline misfire seemed to overshadow some of the good that Worthy did in the first half of the Week 11 game against the Buffalo Bills. He caught four passes on four targets for 63 yards and a touchdown before that long incompletion. The rookie felt that early-game performance was an indicator of what should soon become the norm. 

"I feel like I'm starting to really get more comfortable, get a better feel for the game," Worthy explained. "Understanding more leverages, more coverages within the game. So, I just feel like that's just me showing my growth."

He'll get another shot to further show off his growth in Week 12 against the Carolina Panthers.