Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes playfully ribbed Rashee Rice. The rookie is still listening
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was pleased with rookie Rashee Rice’s 72-yard performance in KC’s recent home victory against the Denver Broncos.
But he was also secretly hoping for more.
That’s because, on two catches, Rice appeared to be close to breaking past Denver’s final defender. That included a 23-yard reception in the third quarter where he couldn’t entirely step through a tackle from behind.
“I told him, I was like, ‘You got to get those knees up, man. There’s two of them that, if you get those knees up, I think you can get in the end zone,’” Mahomes said with a smile after the game. “So that’s going to be the next progression for him.”
The other home-run chance for Rice? A 28-yard gain in the fourth quarter, where he was eventually tripped up.
Rice confirmed Wednesday that he and Mahomes had a light-hearted conversation on the field in the third quarter.
Still, he was taking those words seriously.
“It was a joke, but I understood that I need to keep my knees up,” Rice said. “I probably could have got out there, done a lot more on that play.”
Film sessions showed Rice the same. He might’ve had a touchdown (or two) with a slight adjustment.
“I learned from that play,” Rice said.
It’s just one example of the receiver’s week-to-week mindset as his role increases.
The Chiefs intentionally upped Rice’s usage against the Broncos following his impressive Week 5 game against Minnesota. He nearly doubled his snaps from the previous contest — going from 20 to 35 — while also increasing his offensive snap percentage from 30% to 49%.
“I’ve just been waiting for my opportunity,” Rice said. “And then as I get more and more opportunities, I’m just going to keep taking advantage of those.”
Rice says the next step is simply repeating good days. That’s especially important midweek, where Rice has emphasized performing well during workouts.
“Just coming in with the right mindset, ready to work, ready to get after practice,” Rice said. “Just because I know that what I do in practice is going to translate to the game for me.”
It could provide additional benefits as well.
Rice has noticed — for him — being locked in mentally and physically during run-throughs has helped him gain Mahomes’ trust on gamedays.
“Usually, what we do in practice, we’re going to do in the game,” Rice said. “So if you do it correctly in practice, he’s going to be looking for you in the game for it.”
Rice has been one of Mahomes’ primary aims over the past month. The second-round pick’s 28 targets are second on the team behind Travis Kelce; Mahomes, meanwhile, has thrown Rice’s direction at least four times in each of the last four games.
The rookie could be a more significant weapon for the Chiefs as defenses look to limit Kelce. Mahomes referenced that when talking about Rice’s 23-yard gain against Denver, saying post-snap he saw that Kelce had pulled multiple defenders to his side.
Rice, as a result, was left with single coverage.
“I knew if I could get it into Rashee,” Mahomes said, “there was no one behind him.”
That turned into a long gain against the Broncos.
And could be even more ahead — if Rice progresses the way he and his quarterback expect.
