LAS VEGAS — The Chiefs wide receivers have drawn plenty of criticism this season, much of it warranted, but they might have a budding superstar at the position.
Rashee Rice has emerged late in his rookie season as one of Patrick Mahomes’ favorite weapons, and the second-round pick has gone from getting ready for the draft a year ago to being a critical player for Kansas City in Sunday’s Super Bowl against the 49ers.
“It’s definitely very crazy for me to be in the Super Bowl,” Rice said Thursday. “I’m pretty sure every rookie was trying to get to the Super Bowl this year, and I’m one of the only rookies in the Super Bowl right now. That’s just a blessing.”
Rice did not get off to a hot start. He was not targeted much early in the season. Then, against the Raiders on Nov. 26, he had eight catches on 10 targets for 107 yards and a touchdown. In the penultimate game of the regular season, he had five catches for 127 yards against the Bengals.
His hot streak has continued into the playoffs. He had eight catches for 130 yards and a touchdown against the Dolphins in the wild-card round then had eight catches in the AFC Championship game win over the Ravens.
“I started at just slot first,” Rice said. “As I progressed throughout the season, they started moving me around to different positions on the field. I feel like being able to be available from the right and left side for Pat was why he was able to get me the ball out there.”
Rice has not shied away from a bigger role.
“I feel l have always been ready for that moment,” he said. “Obviously, I wasn’t the best as far as knowing the plays as much as the vets in the beginning of the year. I just like to have the ball in my hands.”
Mahomes said it was obvious that Rice was talented when he arrived in Kansas City, but he needed some time to learn the offense.
“A ton of talent, I saw that from Day 1,” Mahomes said. “But with rookies, especially in Coach [Andy] Reid’s offense, it takes time to learn the different way you run routes and the way you have to read coverage at the same time. He’s continued to get better and better. That’s why people saw his production really get an uptick as the year went on.
“I still think he has a long ways to go. He can continue to get better and better. He can be one of the top receivers in this league.”
Rice has given the Chiefs a complement to Travis Kelce, something they have lacked at times since trading Tyreek Hill. Kelce spends time with Rice during the special teams period in practice working with him on the side on route adjustments.
“I saw it click as soon as he got there,” Kelce said. “He has a great feel to get open in the middle of the field, a physical guy, a dominant guy. With all that, then the offensive coaching staff has slowly given him the responsibility to make plays and to be that guy for us. He owned it throughout the season, and it’s just been awesome to see him grow.”
For Rice, it has not been a surprise to have this kind of impact so soon.
“Truthfully speaking, I did [expect it],” Rice said. “I don’t know if the team or coaches did. Then again, I do think they did because they picked me up in the second round. You wouldn’t really grab a second-round offensive guy for Pat if you don’t think he’s going to be reliable right now.”
Rice gets the benefit of playing with Mahomes, one of the greatest to ever do it, and Rice said he celebrated when the Chiefs drafted him because he knew what playing with Mahomes could mean for him.
“It was the best news I could have heard all year,” Rice said. “As long as my quarterback does his job, he doesn’t really have to worry about me doing my job.”