via Imago

The buzz surrounding Xavier Worthy to be the Kansas City Chiefs’ secret weapon recently got a new dimension. Ever since Worthy has shot to the limelight with his impressive 40-yard dash performance, he has been compared to wide receiver giant Tyreek Hill.

However, in the latest episode of the YouTube podcast, “All Facts No Brakes with Keyshawn Johnson,“ it is legendary TJ Houshmandzadeh who dropped a bomb—claiming that “he’s not Tyreek Hill.” The former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver divulged another big name while comparing Worthy. It is none other than the famous DJax, DeSean Jackson.

Houshmandzadeh dismisses Worthy-Hill’s likeness

Enamored by Worthy’s electrifying speed, this was the first time that Kansas City chose a wide receiver in Round 1 of the draft with Brett Veach as GM. This was enough for the NFL fans to draw comparisons of the recruit to legends like Hill. However,  Houshmandzadeh came up with a reality check on the YouTube show. With much confidence, he claimed, “Xavier Worthy is not just a fast dude. He’s not Tyreek Hill, he’s more DeSean Jackson, they’re built very similar. But you give them that down to-field threat that they haven’t had since Tyreek Hill that’s going to make him better.” 

via Imago

The only ground that Worthy stands a chance in comparison to Hill is the speed. He ran the fastest 40 yards in the NFL Combine history, clocking in at 4.21 seconds. Hence, Worthy is now replicating the speed with which Hill created terror. But now, there is a solid backup for why he is not Hill and more of Jackson.

More backup on the Worthy-Jackson comparison

While Worthy’s speed invites comparisons to Hill, Chiefs’ HC Andy Reid brought up comparisons with one of his former speedy receivers. On the “Pro Football Talk” about Worthy, the HC stated, “You add in there the return ability. I’ve had some guys like that, Tyreek and DeSean Jackson. Probably [Worthy’s] body type a little bit more like DeSean.”

Even though NFL fans are far away from crushing on Jackson, standing in 2024, the wide receiver did leave an impact in the late 2000s and early to mid-2010s, being known as one of the speed demons of the time. This was enough for Jackson to leave a mark in Worthy’s heart as he looked up to Jackson as his idol. At the NFL Combine, the Chiefs’ secret weapon confessed, “I’ve watched his film since I was five years old and he’s been my favorite player since.”

Interestingly, Reid was part of drafting Jackson in Philadelphia in 2008, and the same person drafted Worthy to the Chiefs. Even though there has been no confirmation, there is a possibility that since the HC had a soft corner for Jackson and when he saw his imprint in Worthy, he ended up landing the Texas Longhorns’ wide receiver.