When the Kansas City Chiefs signed Richie James earlier this offseason, it was an acquisition that many people brushed off. However, the 27-year-old wideout has been very productive in training camp, and that extended into the first preseason game this past weekend.
James talked to the media after the Chiefs’ Tuesday practice session and was asked to compare Patrick Mahomes to the other quarterbacks he has played with during his career.
“They’re all great leaders. Obviously, Pat has done [a lot] more than most of them,” James said. “He is just a great leader, great quarterback, knows how to run the show — does his job really well.”
The former 49ers and Giants receiver has been a major benefactor of Mahomes. The 27-year-old quarterback is always open to telling James and the other receivers what his thought process is on certain plays.
“Getting an opportunity to work with [Mahomes] – he gives you a lot of advice of what he is thinking and where you should be at when he releases the ball,” James continued. “Like I said, he is running the show right now.”
Mahomes’ mastery of the offense has given the quarterback the opportunity to be a coach on the field for these receivers coming into the system. James gave his perspective on how Mahomes has helped him adapt to the scheme.
“You can tell [Mahomes] has been in the system for a while – he knows where the ball is going to go pre-snap,” James said. “[Mahomes] does a really good job of telling you [when to expect] the ball – eyes better be up, hands ready.”
With Kadarius Toney hurt and Justyn Ross suffering an injury in Tuesday’s practice, expect James to receive more snaps with the first-team offense.