Alright, let me walk you through how I ended up paying close attention to Rashee Rice this past season with the Chiefs. It wasn’t like I picked him out from day one, you know? It just kinda happened as I was watching the games.
So, the season started, and like always, I’m watching the Chiefs. I remember hearing his name, Rashee Rice, rookie receiver. Didn’t think much of it at first. Lots of new guys come and go. Saw him on the field, maybe saw a target here or there. Nothing really jumped out immediately. You see potential, maybe, but you don’t know.
Getting More Snaps
Then, a few games in, I started noticing number 4 getting more looks. It wasn’t just screen passes either, though he got plenty of those. Mahomes started trusting him a bit more down the field, or on those crucial third downs. I specifically remember watching one game, might have been against the Chargers or Broncos, can’t recall exactly which one right now, sitting on my couch, and thinking, “Okay, this kid catches the ball when it’s thrown his way.” Seems simple, right? But not always the case, especially for rookies.
My process was simple: just watch. I don’t get into all the super deep stats or analytics like some folks. I watch the flow of the game, who’s making plays when it matters.
- I watched how he lined up.
- I watched how he got off the line.
- I paid attention to whether the QB looked his way in tight spots.
Stepping Up Big Time
As the season went on, especially towards the end and into the playoffs, man, he really started to become a key piece. They needed someone reliable besides Kelce, and Rice just seemed to be that guy more often than not. He wasn’t just catching it; he was turning upfield, getting those extra yards. That stuff makes a difference.
I recall thinking during the playoffs, “They gotta get the ball to Rice.” He had that knack for finding the soft spot in the zone or making a contested catch. It wasn’t always flashy, just solid, dependable play. And watching him develop that connection with Mahomes throughout the year, that was the real takeaway for me. You could see the trust building from week to week, just by watching them play.
So yeah, that was my experience watching Rashee Rice this year. Started off just noticing him, then actively looking for him, and by the end, seeing him as a legit weapon for the Chiefs. Pretty cool to see a rookie step up like that over a season. Definitely gonna be watching him next year.
