In a move that's turning heads across the NFL, the Green Bay Packers have claimed wide receiver Brenden Rice off waivers—the son of San Francisco 49ers legend and Hall of Famer Jerry Rice. The news, first reported by CBS Sports' Jonathan Jones, adds another chapter to the young receiver's winding journey through the league.

Drafted in the seventh round by the Los Angeles Chargers in 2024, Rice entered the NFL with plenty of buzz, largely due to his famous father. Many speculated the 49ers might select the USC product to keep the Rice legacy in the Bay Area, but San Francisco passed. Instead, they signed Terrell Owens' son, Terique Owens, as an undrafted free agent.

Rice's path has been anything but smooth since then. After being cut by the Chargers at final roster cuts in August 2025, he landed on the New England Patriots' practice squad mid-season, only to be released a week later. A brief two-week stint with the Seattle Seahawks followed before the Las Vegas Raiders signed him to their practice squad in December and later to a futures contract in January. Now, the Packers have scooped him up off waivers, making Green Bay his fifth team in less than two years.

On the field, Rice has yet to make a statistical impact. He appeared in three games as a rookie, logging just three offensive snaps and 10 on special teams. Across two preseasons, he's played seven games, catching four passes for 43 yards on 21 targets—numbers that underscore the uphill battle he faces to carve out an NFL career.

For 49ers fans hoping to see Jerry Rice's son in red and gold, that dream is fading fast. Given his lack of production and limited snaps, it's hard to envision Rice making a significant contribution even if he eventually found his way to San Francisco. For now, the Packers are giving him another shot to prove he belongs.