NFL Hall of Famer Jerry Rice is best remembered for his stint with the San Francisco 49ers, but he also had a four-year stint with the Raiders that saw him make a Pro Bowl and break over 1,000 receiving yards twice.
He was part of the last Raiders team that won a playoff game, and now he’s got a son in the NFL. Brenden Rice had a productive career at USC, which led to some NFL interest. He was a seventh-round pick of the Los Angeles Chargers in 2024 and appeared in three games.
Unfortunately, he was cut from the roster before this season. Luckily, he’s getting another chance. According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the New England Patriots have signed Rice to their practice squad.
Jerry Rice is arguably the greatest wide receiver of all time, and many believed that he was the greatest overall football player ever for a long time before Tom Brady settled the debate with his seventh Super Bowl win.
Brenden Rice hasn’t had the success that his father had, but he’s shown signs that he’s a real player. The Patriots could use some more wide receiver help, so there’s a decent chance that he could get on the field at some point.
Raiders Get ‘B’ For Jakobi Meyers Trade
The Raiders also made wide receiver news on Tuesday, as they announced that they have traded Jakobi Meyers to the Jacksonville Jaguars for a fourth-round pick and a sixth-round pick. Meyers has been wanting out for months, and he finally got what he wanted.
For the Raiders, this is likely the best they could’ve done. Bleacher Report gave Las Vegas a “B” grade for the trade.
“It was hardly a secret that the Raiders were shopping Meyers, who has an expiring contract and who has all but disappeared from the Vegas offense—just 124 receiving yards over the last month,” Bleacher Report wrote.
“Fans in Sin City no doubt would like to have seen the Raiders get more for a proven wideout who topped 1,000 yards last year. But Meyers isn’t a field-stretcher, he’s headed for free agency and this was likely the best offer they got.”
Raiders Need WR Help
The Raiders recently signed Tyler Lockett. That move was likely made with the knowledge that Meyers was on his way out. At 33, Lockett is not the same player he once was.
The Raiders will now need to rely on their young wide receiver going forward. Tre Tucker is the No. 1 wide receiver now, which should be interesting to watch. Rookie Jack Bech didn’t take a single offensive snap in Week 9, but that will change now.
Rookie Dont’e Thornton was a healthy inactive against the Jaguars, but that shouldn’t be the case anymore. The Raiders know they aren’t going to the playoffs this season, so they should be focused on developing young talent. Moving off of Meyers helps with that goal in the long run. Now they have to wait and see which players can step up for the offense and could be building blocks.
Son of Raiders Hall of Famer Signs Contract With Patriots