KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Chad O’Shea has been one of the most vocal figures at Chiefs OTAs, taking over as the team’s receivers coach and immediately making his presence felt on the field. O’Shea replaced Connor Embree and has not been shy about shouting, offering blunt feedback and delivering positive reinforcement during the voluntary practices open to reporters.
Much of O’Shea’s attention has been on third-year receiver Xavier Worthy, who emerged as the team’s top pass-catcher during the past two weeks of practices. Coaches praised Worthy for sharp route-running in 7-on-7 work and for completing a perimeter blocking drill by quickly locating a defender. With the offense in the red zone, Patrick Mahomes completed two intermediate passes to Worthy, who hauled them in between two defenders in the back of the end zone.
Worthy also had moments of correction and rebound during Wednesday’s session, dropping a pass near the goal line in one period and then later making a contested catch in the corner of the end zone against rookie cornerback Mansoor Delane. O’Shea was among the first to celebrate the play with a high-five.
O’Shea has praised Worthy’s approach, saying the receiver is “tremendous in the classroom,” “very coachable” and catches the ball well at all levels. Coach Andy Reid complimented Worthy’s progress, saying, “He’s really doing a nice job” and adding, “I think he feels more comfortable now.” O’Shea, who began his NFL coaching career in Kansas City in 2003 under Dick Vermeil, said, “I love the game, and I love teaching,” and that he has been excited to learn under Reid.
The Chiefs did not pursue major additions at receiver this offseason and are counting on Worthy, Rashee Rice and Tyquan Thornton to improve collectively under offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy and O’Shea. None of the trio has yet to record a 1,000-yard season. Rice has been in custody since May 19 after testing positive for marijuana in violation of probation stemming from a highway crash; he was sentenced to 30 days and is set to be released June 16, meaning he will miss the team’s mandatory minicamp June 9-11. Reid said the team will work to get Rice “caught up” when he returns.
