The Packers claimed the 24-year-old wide receiver off waivers from the Las Vegas Raiders, cutting defensive tackle James Ester in a corresponding move.
Rice is the son of Jerry Rice, the NFL's all-time leader in receiving yards, receptions, and touchdowns, and one of the most universally acclaimed players in the history of the sport.
He is also a player who has struggled to find any footing in the professional game despite flashing the physical tools that made him a draft pick in 2024.
🚨🚨 The #Packers claimed WR Brenden Rice off waivers from the #Raiders.
— NFL Rumors (@nflrums) May 13, 2026
Rice, the son of the legendary #49ers Jerry Rice
The Raiders waived Rice on May 11 after signing linebacker Cameron McGrone, ending his association with Las Vegas four months after he had been signed to a futures contract.
Before that, he spent time on the practice squads of the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks following his release from the Chargers, the team that drafted him 225th overall in the seventh round in 2024.
In three career NFL games, all with the Chargers during his rookie season, Rice appeared in just 13 total snaps, the majority of which came on special teams, and recorded no statistics on offense.
The College Resume
The production at the college level suggested Rice was a legitimate NFL prospect who slid due to concerns about his route running and separation ability.
He began his college career at Colorado before transferring to USC, where he caught 111 passes for 1,821 yards and 21 touchdowns across four college seasons.
The Raiders have waived WR Brenden Rice, making the son of Hall of Famer Jerry Rice a free agent once again.
— Preme Football (@premefootball) May 11, 2026
Rice was originally drafted by the Chargers with the 225th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and later signed with the Patriots before eventually landing in Las Vegas on…
At 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds, he has the frame and speed to play on the outside, and his ability as a field-stretcher was cited by multiple analysts who liked him far higher than where he was selected.
The Path to a Roster Spot in Green Bay
The Packers' receiver room features Jayden Reed, Christian Watson, and Matthew Golden as the clear top three, with Skyy Moore, Bo Melton, and undrafted rookie J. Michael Sturdivant filling out the depth behind them.
Rice enters a tough competition for the final roster spots in a receiving corps that Brian Gutekunst has been building out this week, with Rice being the third player claimed off waivers in a seven-day span alongside tight end Luke Lachey and cornerback MJ Devonshire.
Photo Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
