Patrick Mahomes calls rookie WR ‘Texas tough’ amid his impressive performances of late

Add as preferred source on Google

Patrick Mahomes recently said Rashee Rice is ‘Texas tough’ amid the Chiefs wide receiver’s impressive performances of late.

The Kansas City offense is beginning to find its groove after stuttering somewhat in the first few weeks of the season.

Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce are back to their effervescent best, however, the wide receiver group is still not quite clicking as it should.

Rookie Rashee Rice has been the standout option among them, and has rather surprisingly emerged as Mahomes’ go-to option outside of Kelce.

• MORE: Stephen A. Smith has changed his tune on the Chiefs in the space of a week

Rookie WR has emerged as potent offensive weapon

The second-round pick out of SMU has been a surprise package this season for the Chiefs, showing off a unique blend of skill and toughness that many didn’t see coming in Year 1.

In Week 7 against the Los Angeles Chargers, Rice matched his single-game high in receptions on 40 total offensive snaps. He’s registered at least four receptions in four of those contests, and is averaging 34 targets, 26 receptions, 16 first downs, 305 yards and three touchdowns so far this season.

Those statistics put him behind only Kelce in the entire Chiefs offense, and he’s staked his claim as the team’s second best pass-catching option right now.

Mahomes has been impressed with Rashee Rice this season

When talking to reporters recently, Mahomes couldn’t haven spoken more highly of the rookie receiver.

“He [Rashee Rice] has great feel, I think that’s the biggest thing,” Mahomes said. “Obviously, you see how explosive he is and you see the physical talent, but he has a good understanding of when he’s open and how to stay open. He’s starting to recognize coverages more and more, coverages are a little more complex than they were in college, but you can tell as he’s starting to learn more and getting himself open, I think we’ll continue to work with that, and he’ll continue to find ways to get open whenever the necessary route is not going to. He did a great job of that on the touchdown.”

• LATEST: Patrick Mahomes could set unprecedented NFL record with win over Broncos this weekend

Mahomes says Rashee Rice is ‘Texas tough’

23-year-old Rice has shown a real knack for generating yards after the catch, which speaks to his toughness and ability to withstand big hits.

The Chiefs QB put it down to his fellow Texas native’s roots in the Lone Star State .

“He’s a good football player at the end of the day,” Mahomes added. “He wants to go out there and win, he wants to compete.

“He’s Texas tough, man. Those Texas guys are tough out there on the football field.”

Rice will have the opportunity to prove that ‘Texas tough’ against the Broncos in Week 8.