Hall of Famer’s Son Rejects Broncos Practice Squad for Chiefs Workout — Believes Kansas City Can Help Him Become a Legend Like His Father

Kansas City, MO – The Chiefs have quietly added a spark of intrigue to their wide receiver room just days before the season opener. A workout on Friday turned heads, not just because of the player’s potential, but because of his bloodline.

The Broncos were ready to stash a young wideout on their practice squad after releasing him earlier this week, but the player had other plans. Instead of staying in Denver, he turned down the offer and hopped on a flight to Missouri. The move reflects both ambition and a calculated gamble on what Kansas City can provide.

That wideout is the son of one of the most legendary players in NFL history. His father redefined the wide receiver position for the San Francisco 49ers, and now the next generation is determined to carve out a path of his own. Few NFL cities offer a bigger stage than Kansas City, and he clearly believes it’s the right place for his story.

Brenden Rice, son of Hall of Famer Jerry Rice, worked out for the Chiefs on Friday after declining an opportunity to remain with the Broncos. Drafted in the seventh round in 2024, Rice logged three games as a rookie before being released earlier this week. He’s betting on himself, trusting that Andy Reid’s offense and Patrick Mahomes’ leadership could help him write a chapter his father would be proud of.

For the Chiefs, the workout comes at an interesting time. The team has already been active in reshaping its receiver depth, particularly with Rashee Rice facing suspension and Skyy Moore battling inconsistency. Adding another developmental option with size and pedigree makes sense for an offense built around flexibility and explosiveness.

Rice’s NFL résumé may be thin, but his potential remains intriguing. At Notre Dame, he flashed the size, physicality, and contested-catch ability that scouts believed could translate at the next level. In Kansas City, he has the chance to prove he’s more than just a famous name and could battle for a depth spot in one of the league’s most dynamic offenses.

Chiefs fans understand legacy as much as anyone. They’ve seen stars rise alongside Mahomes and fall just as quickly. For Brenden Rice, choosing the Chiefs over the relative safety of a practice squad role in Denver is a bold declaration: he’s here to compete, not coast.

If Kansas City sees enough to keep him around, Arrowhead might soon have another Rice to roar for. And in a city that reveres grit, production, and championship pedigree, that could be the perfect recipe for a breakout story.

Malone suffered a medical emergency during football practice, collapsing after sprint drills and alerting coaches he was not feeling well. Trainers responded immediately, placing him in a cooling tub before paramedics arrived to provide urgent medical care.

Although he never lost consciousness and even spoke with coaches at the hospital, Malone’s condition unexpectedly worsened overnight. On Wednesday morning, Lancaster Independent School District officials confirmed the devastating news of his passing, leaving a community heartbroken.

In his final moments, Malone apologized to his coach for not completing drills and promised his trainer he would be okay. Those words now echo painfully for teammates and everyone who believed in his bright future.

Broncos fans have joined thousands across the nation in offering prayers and tributes to the Malone family. For many, Preston represents more than a high school athlete — he embodied courage, humility, and the dream of reaching the NFL.

The district has canceled football practices this week, while grief counselors support students and staff. Even in tragedy, Malone’s spirit continues to inspire, reminding all that his resilience and heart will never be forgotten.

For Broncos Country, Preston Malone will forever be remembered as a symbol of hope — a “future MVP” whose love for football reflects the same relentless passion that defines the Mile High tradition.

School officials said they were "hopeful for his recovery, but his condition changed overnight" and he died on Wednesday morning.

Athletic trainers did "an exceptional job" following heat "procedures and protocols," school officials said.

Due to the warm temperatures in Texas, coaches decided to keep football practice indoors on Monday, officials said. Players were also allotted five water breaks -- each two minutes long -- but were also allowed to grab additional water at other times, officials said.

While the indoor facility did not have an HVAC system installed, the space had four "large garage door areas" that are "always lifted up" along with fans to circulate air, officials said.

Officials also said the players were only wearing shoulder pads and shorts during this practice.

Malone's official cause of death has not been released. School officials said they are asking the community to "join us in keeping the family in their thoughts and prayers."

"No one ever wants to be in this position. As a mother, I never want to call a family and share that their kid is not safe in our building [or] our facilities and something has happened to them," Perera said during the press conference.

Grief counselors are available at Lancaster High School and "across the district for students and staff" through the end of the week, officials said.

The school district has canceled football practices for the remainder of the week, officials said.