The Kansas City Chiefs enter the holidays with clinching the AFC West on their minds this weekend while still trying to clean up their offense. A positive from their offense this season has been rookie wide receiver Rashee Rice, who has quickly become a favorite target of quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
The high number of drops and frequently discussed miscues have thrown many doubters at the core of the Chiefs’ young receivers. Rice appeared on the most recent FUBO Sports’ “Airing it Out” episode to speak up for his receivers’ room, including Kadarius Toney, while speaking with former NFL receiver T. J. Houshmandzadeh.
“To be honest, I feel like just from us, hearing that we ain’t got a good receiver room, stuff like that, it just makes it easier for us to lean on each other and not be the people that’s bringing each other down because we already got that on the outside,” Rice explained. “So as long as our room is tight, nah, we’re not really worried about it.
“We know that he knows that he (Kadarius Toney) should have made the catch, I’m saying, and we didn’t lose the game, so when we get to practice, we’re going to be heavy on catching the ball with your eyes. Like even, you know, I’m a rookie, but I’ve got (to) sometimes to be a little more vocal, but with little stuff like, I work every day, you know, catching a tennis ball, so I can really, you know, lock in on catching with my eyes.
Rice has taken a significant step forward in his development, becoming the top productive target for the team in his position group. He is quickly approaching the Chiefs rookie receiver records in several statistical categories with three games remaining in the regular season.
“But some players probably don’t really focus on all the fundamentals because they got… everybody got talent,” said Rice. “But, obviously, you know it’s talent and it’s work ethic. You know, work ethic really keeps you in the NFL, and I’m learning that early.”
Rice’s work ethic is paying off as his stock is rising around the league. Opposing defenses could start making more of a game plan to slow him down as the postseason approaches.