Packers Claim Brenden Rice Off Waivers, Add Depth to Receiver Room

The Green Bay Packers made a notable roster addition on Wednesday by claiming wide receiver Brenden Rice off waivers from the Las Vegas Raiders, continuing their efforts to evaluate young talent at the position heading into the next phase of the offseason. The move also came with a corresponding transaction, as defensive tackle James Ester was released to open a spot on the 90-man roster.

Rice’s arrival carries a recognizable name for football fans, as he is the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Jerry Rice, widely regarded as one of the greatest wide receivers in NFL history. The younger Rice now joins Green Bay in search of stability after a series of short-term opportunities across multiple organizations.

Despite the lineage, Brenden Rice is still working to establish his own identity at the professional level. His NFL journey has been marked by movement between teams and practice squads since entering the league as a late-round draft selection.

For the Packers, the claim represents a low-risk addition to a receiver room that continues to be evaluated as the team shapes its depth chart during the offseason program.

1. College Path And Draft Entry

Brenden Rice’s football background includes a multi-stop college career that began at Colorado before he transferred to USC in 2022. At both programs, he developed as a physical receiver with size and downfield potential, gradually improving his draft stock. After two seasons with the Colorado Buffaloes, Rice entered the transfer portal and joined USC, where he played a key role in the Trojans’ passing attack. His decision to transfer proved pivotal in gaining exposure on a larger offensive stage before declaring for the NFL Draft. In 2023, Rice chose to forgo his remaining college eligibility and enter the draft process. His production and traits ultimately led to his selection by the Los Angeles Chargers in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL Draft. While he entered the league with developmental upside, his transition to the professional level has been challenging, as he has yet to record a regular-season reception in the NFL.

2. Early NFL Movement And Opportunity Search

Rice’s NFL career has involved frequent transitions between teams since being drafted. After appearing in three games with the Chargers, he was waived during final roster cuts in 2025, beginning a series of short-term opportunities elsewhere in the league. He later joined the New England Patriots practice squad and then the Seattle Seahawks practice squad within the same month, though neither stint resulted in a long-term roster spot. Both teams eventually released him as they finalized their depth charts. Shortly after his departure from Seattle, Rice landed on the Raiders’ practice squad, where he later signed a reserve/future contract. That opportunity, however, also proved temporary, as he once again became available on waivers prior to being claimed by Green Bay. Despite limited on-field production, Rice has remained a candidate of interest due to his size, pedigree, and flashes of potential seen during college and preseason opportunities.

3. Packers Depth Strategy And Roster Outlook

For the Packers, the decision to claim Rice reflects a continued emphasis on evaluating young receivers with developmental upside. His addition provides another body in a competitive position group where roles are still being defined during offseason workouts. Green Bay’s receiver room remains in flux, with several players competing for depth chart positioning behind established contributors. Adding Rice gives the coaching staff another option to assess during training camp and preseason action. The corresponding move, waiving defensive tackle James Ester, underscores the fluid nature of the roster as teams cycle through players to identify long-term fits. Ester’s departure opens a spot for wide receiver evaluation without significantly altering defensive line depth. As the offseason progresses, Rice will have an opportunity to compete for a roster or practice squad role, depending on his performance in camp. For a player still seeking his first NFL catch, the Packers represent another chance to reset and extend his professional trajectory.