The son of an NFL legend is on the New England Patriots’ radar.
Ahead of their Week 4 matchup against the Carolina Panthers, the Patriots hosted four players for free-agent workouts on Tuesday, including wide receiver Brenden Rice.
Rice is a 2024 seventh-round pick out of USC and the son of NFL Hall of Famer Jerry Rice, who’s widely considered the greatest wide receiver in league history.
The Patriots did not immediately announce any signings.
Rice Previously Worked Out for Eagles, Saints
Rice, 23, was cut by the Los Angeles Chargers in August after failing to make the initial 53-man roster. He appeared in just seven games as a rookie, recording three snaps on offense and 10 snaps on special teams.
Rice has since worked out for multiple teams, including the Philadelphia Eagles and New Orleans Saints, but remains unsigned.
Rice began his college career in 2020 at Colorado where he had 27 catches for 419 yards and five touchdowns over two seasons before transferring. In two seasons with USC, Rice caught 76 passes for 1,255 yards and 15 touchdowns, including 11 scores in 2023. That earned him Second Team All-Pac 12 honors.
Offense-Needy Patriots Host Mutiple Receivers
In addition to Rice, the Patriots also worked out tight end Drake Dabney, wide receiver Rakim Jarrett, and offensive tackle Aiden Williams. The team has one spot open on its practice squad.
While these workouts are relatively common, the Patriots‘ focus on receivers is notable. Kayshon Boutte, Stefon Diggs and Mack Hollins have been relatively pedestrian through three games, so it makes sense to upgrade the supporting cast around quarterback Drake Maye.
New England (1-2) committed five turnovers in Sunday’s 21-14 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, negating a 369-203 edge in total yardage. Two of those turnovers came at the Steelers’ 2-yard line.
Rice Has Hall of Fame Lineage
Rice may lack NFL experience, but his speed could offer New England a new dimension on offense.
The Patriots have struggled to stretch the field, ranking 17th in explosive play rate (10.3%) and 19th in explosive pass rate through three games.
If nothing else, Rice has Hall of Fame lineage. Jerry Rice was a 13-time Pro Bowler and 10-time First Team All-Pro. He won three Super Bowls with the 49ers and was MVP of Super Bowl XXIII. His 215 receiving yards in the 49ers’ 20-16 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals are a Super Bowl record.
The elder Rice is also the record-holder for career receptions (1,549), receiving yards (22,895) and receiving touchdowns (197). He surpassed 1,000 yards receiving 14 times in 20 NFL seasons.
Patriots Host Legendary Wide Receiver’s Son for Workout