NFL merch world is already bracing for a Xavier Worthy takeover

There's no shortage of NFL gear featuring members of the Kansas City Chiefs these days. It comes with the territory of being the league's ruling dynasty (Super Bowl LIX loss notwithstanding), but it appears a younger member of the Chiefs roster is going to be more well-represented in terms of merch sales in the next year.

The National Football League Players Association released its annual list of "Rising Stars" before the 2025 campaign, and Worthy is one of 10 veteran players featured.

The Rising Stars list is a yearly predictive list intended to aid sponsors and retail partners in their decisions on players to feature. It helps identify those younger prospects and players who might be on the verge of selling more merch in the next year based on a number of factors—from fantasy football popularity to on-field production to the team's popularity and more.

The NFL's Players Association featured Xavier Worthy on this year's Rising Stars list.

The annual list features 10 rookies and 10 veterans, and Worthy is the only representative for the Chiefs. Interestingly enough, Worthy was also included last year as a rookie, meaning this is his second turn as a Rising Star.

Worthy was the Chiefs first-round pick in the 2024 draft, an incredibly fast wide receiver out of Texas who was selected in order to aid a struggling Chiefs passing game. Ever since the Chiefs traded Tyreek Hill to the Miami Dolphins, they'd struggled to stretch the field while depending on the likes of Justin Watson and Marquez Valdes-Scantling to provide deep targets.

While Worthy was considered a risk with his slight build, the Chiefs got everything they bargained for and more in Worthy's rookie season. By year's end, Worthy had emerged as the top target on an offense decimated by injuries. He had 19 catches for 287 yards and 3 touchdowns in the Chiefs' postseason run, and a year of experience should make him even more dangerous.

Given that Patrick Mahomes also has Hollywood Brown, Rashee Rice, and Isiah Pacheco returning from injury, the Chiefs offense should be loaded once again after a couple of mediocre seasons overall. Worthy is primed to break out in an even bigger way. That should translate to considerable sales.