Chiefs rookie makes NFL history in Super Bowl LVIII victory

The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 in Super Bowl LVIII and one of their biggest playmakers just joined the team this year.

That player is rookie wide receiver Rashee Rice, the Chiefs second-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, and he made NFL history in the win.

Rice finished the game six receptions, which was the second most for Kansas City and gave him the most receptions for a rookie in postseason history (26). He passes WR Ja'Marr Chase, who had 25 catches on the Bengals run to the Super Bowl during the 2021 season.

The Chiefs wide receivers have been inconsistent all year, but the rookie was, by far, the most reliable. Rice totaled 79 catches for 938 yards and team-leading seven touchdown receptions in the regular season. 

The only player on the team with more catches and receiving yards was TE Travis Kelce (93 catches for 984 yards).

The 23-year-old clearly earned the trust of QB Patrick Mahomes, tallying at least five catches in each of the last six games of the regular season. He then had at least four catches in each postseason game en route to the record books.

Kansas City will need to continue relying on its young talent if it wants to become the first team to win three straight Super Bowls now that Mahomes' massive contract is beginning to hit the books.

Rice proved he is a player the team can rely on. However, past him, there aren't any other receivers that feel safe going into the 2024 season.

The Chiefs will likely add another receiver or two during free agency and the draft in the coming months. But Rice is here to stay after putting his name in the record books as a rookie.