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Packers’ Brenden Rice Talks Opportunity, Being Son of Jerry, Infamous Fumble

Sports Illustrated's profile
Original Story by Sports Illustrated
June 25, 2026
Packers’ Brenden Rice Talks Opportunity, Being Son of Jerry, Infamous Fumble

Context:

Brenden Rice, the son of Hall of Famer Jerry Rice, joined the Green Bay Packers ahead of OTAs and faces a wide-open competition for one of the final receiver spots. He emphasizes adapting to a new offense in Year 3 and embracing the process, while drawing motivation from his father’s feedback and a belief that pressure can be a privilege. Rice’s journey includes being waived by the Raiders in May after brief stints with the Chargers, Patriots, and Seahawks, highlighting his perseverance to seize another opportunity in Green Bay. The story frames his potential as a blend of physical tools, recent production at USC, and a mindset focused on preparation and faith. The outlook centers on proving himself in camp and earning a defined role in a Packers’ stacked, evolving group.

Dive Deeper:

  • Brenden Rice was signed by the Green Bay Packers just before the start of OTAs and is entering a training camp competition for one of the final receiver spots, alongside a mix of holdovers and newcomers.

  • He played college football at USC, totaling 45 receptions for 791 yards (17.6 average) and 12 touchdowns as a senior, and he was a seventh-round pick by the Chargers in 2024 after emerging as Caleb Williams’ top target in 2023.

  • Rice spent time with the Raiders in 2025 before being released on May 11, and he previously had brief practice-squad stints with the Patriots and Seahawks, illustrating a pattern of chasing opportunities across multiple teams.

  • He describes the Packers’ install and terminology as different but manageable in year three, emphasizing the need to understand the offense and trust the quarterback in a high-performance environment.

  • Jerry Rice, Brenden’s father, speaks about maintaining a high standard and the work ethic required, with Brenden reframing pressure as a privilege and relying on faith and daily preparation to stay ready.

  • Physically, Rice is listed at 6-foot-2 and 208 pounds with a 4.50-second 40-yard dash, and he brings vertical potential and playmaking ability to a receiver group undergoing turnover this offseason.

  • Rice’s mindset for camp is to play freely and have fun while developing chemistry with the offense; he sees a real opportunity in Green Bay given the need for fresh contributions and the team’s track record of developing players from modest beginnings.

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