Brenden Rice faced pressure as a rookie, struggling to connect with quarterback Easton Stick during the preseason. With only one catch for 11 yards, he stayed anxious as the roster deadline approached, hoping to avoid the dreaded visits from staffers delivering bad news. Ultimately, he secured his spot on the team, joining fellow rookie Ladd McConkey in a receiver group that needed to step up, especially with the loss of established players like Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. Rice emphasized the importance of daily improvement and highlighted the team's potential to surprise critics with their toughness and fundamental skills on the field.