Patriots sign Hall of Famer's son

Billy Heyen

Patriots sign Hall of Famer's son image

The New England Patriots added quite the pedigree to their roster on Tuesday.

Their newest signing is the son of a Hall of Famer.

Not just any Hall of Famer, either, but the greatest wide receiver of all time, Jerry Rice.

The Pats have signed Brenden Rice, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz. While not reported as such, it'd make sense for this to be a signing to the practice squad.

Rice spent the summer with the Los Angeles Chargers but has been a free agent since he was cut in late August. He has worked out for multiple other teams without getting a contract before New England brought him aboard.

The Chargers took Rice in the seventh round in 2024 after he split his college career between Colorado and USC. He scored 12 touchdowns as a senior with the Trojans.

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As a rookie, Rice played in three games. He totaled three offensive snaps and 10 special-teams snaps.

He didn't catch a pass or record a tackle as a rookie before being placed on injured reserve in November.

He's an intriguing talent at 6-foot-3 with a 4.50-second 40-yard dash and 36.5-inch vertical leap.

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It can't be easy to be a WR who is the son of Jerry Rice.

But doors have likely opened for Brenden along the way, and it's up to him to make the most of opportunities as they're granted.

This is the newest chance for Brenden Rice to make his own name for himself, and it's up to him to seize it.

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News Correspondent