Patrick Mahomes and Xavier Worthy Brush Off Bills’ Claims About Body Language ‘Tell’
In the aftermath of the Buffalo Bills’ 28-21 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 9, a subtle chess match between players and analysts has come to light. Rookie Bills cornerback Maxwell Hairston revealed to Go Long’s Tyler Dunne that he picked up on a “tell” from Chiefs receiver Xavier Worthy—claiming he could read Worthy’s body language before the snap to determine when he was about to get the ball.
The Art of the “Tell”
Hairston explained, “Finding a difference in his posture and his effort for real when he knows he’s not getting it, when it’s a run. So just applying what I saw from the film room and taking it out to the field. There are tells that everybody gives. It’s just about finding it.” His film study paid off, as he defended Worthy on three of his seven targets, including a crucial late-game interception when pressure forced Mahomes to throw into double coverage.
Worthy, however, managed to make an 18-yard grab against Hairston on the Chiefs’ final drive, finishing the day with three receptions for 23 yards. The rookie receiver’s performance was steady, but the post-game chatter centered on whether his pre-snap actions were tipping off defenders.
Mahomes and Worthy Respond
When asked about Hairston’s comments, Patrick Mahomes seemed more amused than concerned. “I didn’t necessarily see it,” Mahomes said. “Obviously, if he said it, he saw something. We’ll be better at looking at things like that.” His measured response reflected both confidence and a willingness to learn from the experience.
Worthy, meanwhile, brushed off the notion that his body language was giving anything away. “I don’t react to it,” he said. “If you couldn’t point out the indicator, then you’ve really seen no indicator. It just happens. It’s part of the game. We’re going to bounce back. I’ll be all right. You put it on the back burner—you don’t worry about it.”
Andy Reid’s Perspective
Chiefs coach Andy Reid weighed in on the topic, providing a veteran coach’s perspective. “Everybody’s got a tendency somewhere along the line—that’s how it works,” Reid said. “If you watch enough tape, you’re going to see certain things. The objective is to give them that against different looks. We look at all that and try to keep track of that, and we ask players to do the same thing. Xavier’s a smart kid—he gets all that.”
Worthy’s Growth and Outlook
Worthy’s journey this season has been marked by resilience. After suffering a shoulder injury on the third play of the season-opener and missing two games, he returned in Week 4 and has averaged 42.7 yards per game—an improvement over his 2024 regular-season average. The bye week provided a chance for Worthy to recharge, spending time in Texas and picking up golf as a peaceful new hobby.
Looking ahead, Worthy is focused on self-improvement. “You want to critique certain things,” he said. “It’s just getting better at the little things, making the most of my opportunities, and just going out there and making plays.” Cleaning up any pre-snap indicators is now part of his checklist.
Chiefs Looking Forward
Mahomes, now in his eighth season as Kansas City’s starter, summed up the team’s attitude with a grin: “I appreciate the info,” he said, chuckling, “so we can be better at that as the season goes on.”
The Chiefs remain undeterred by outside observations, viewing them as opportunities for growth rather than sources of concern. As they prepare for the second half of the season, Mahomes, Worthy, and Reid all demonstrate the resilience and adaptability that have defined Kansas City’s recent success.
In the NFL’s ever-evolving chess match, the Chiefs are ready to adjust, learn, and keep making plays—no matter who’s watching for tells.
