The transition from college to the NFL is a struggle for most rookies as they enter the league, and Kansas City Chiefs rookie Rashee Rice got his first taste of life in the pros on Sunday. Regardless of their position, new players must adjust to the game’s speed and learn extensive playbooks.
Rice enters the 2023 season with high expectations after being drafted in the second round out of SMU. He spoke with reporters following Tuesday’s practice about working with quarterback Patrick Mahomes and figuring out NFL defensive coverages.
“Honestly, like I said, they’ve been a lot of help, so it hasn’t been necessarily hard,” Rice explained. “The only thing that’s been a little challenging is the defense being able to hide disguises of the defense and then moving to me having to run my route and be able to adjust the defense, and also know what past thinking is like while the defense is adjusting, thinking for the defense and thinking for Pat [Patrick Mahomes] and myself.”
Rice played well in his preseason debut, with three catches for 30 yards. He is adjusting well to the pro game, and his number should be called more after recent injuries to Kansas City’s receivers when the Chiefs face the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday.
