Patriots Add NFL Legacy to Practice Squad, Sign Brenden Rice — Son of Hall of Famer Jerry Rice

Foxborough, MA — The New England Patriots made a quietly significant move on Tuesday, signing wide receiver Brenden Rice, the son of legendary Hall of Famer Jerry Rice, to their practice squad.

The 23-year-old receiver becomes the newest addition to a developing offensive group that already includes John Jiles and Jeremiah Webb on the practice squad. For Head Coach Mike Vrabel and his staff, this signing represents both a low-risk investment and a potential long-term reward.

Rice, known for his strong hands and polished route-running, spent his collegiate career at Colorado and USC, where he built a reputation for his physical play and dependable presence in clutch moments. He was selected by the Los Angeles Chargers in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL Draft, spending training camp with the team before being waived during final roster cuts in late August.

Though his time with the Chargers was short, Rice impressed scouts with his work ethic, maturity, and flashes of his father’s trademark precision and discipline. Analysts believe his addition to the Patriots practice squad could provide valuable depth — and possibly, a spark — to a receiving corps searching for stability and consistency.

“Brenden’s got the DNA, the discipline, and the hunger to carve out his own name,” one AFC scout said. “He’s not Jerry Rice — and he’s not trying to be. But he’s got the foundation to contribute at this level if given the right system and coaching.”

The Patriots, who have been reshaping their offensive identity under Vrabel, seem to see potential in developing young talent with upside. Rice’s signing adds an intriguing storyline to a team known for transforming overlooked players into reliable contributors.

For now, Brenden Rice will focus on learning the Patriots’ system and earning his spot on the active roster — a challenge his father, the NFL’s all-time leader in receiving yards and touchdowns, knows well.

While comparisons to Jerry Rice are inevitable, Brenden has repeatedly expressed his desire to “build his own legacy.” In Foxborough, that journey officially begins.