According to a report from TMZ Sports, there is “serious buzz” within the NFL community regarding former Ravens RB Ray Rice possibly getting a second chance.
TMZ, citing multiple sources, reports that a handful of teams that have expressed “legitimate interest.”
Rice’s agents have reportedly engaged with multiple teams recently and there has been “serious discussions” about potentially signing him.
An NFL agent who doesn’t represent Rice tells TMZ: “He will be back on the field very soon with some team … I can guarantee that.”
There has been no buzz regarding Rice returning to the NFL in the past month or so.
Rice previously said that he’s “optimistic” that he’ll get another shot at playing the NFL, even after all that has transpired in the past year.
“I’m optimistic that I’ll get a second chance,” Rice said told the Baltimore Sun. “I don’t think this boils down to whether I can play football or not. Obviously I know that. I just think there’s so much more that comes with it. I know the PR side of it will be tough. I understand that.”
Rice wound up sitting out the entire 2014 season after the Ravens cut him loose shortly after the the security video that shows Rice knocking out his then-fiancee, Janay, was released.
Even if an NFL team was willing to look past the obvious concerns about signing Rice to a contract, this year’s draft class is loaded at the running back position, which means the best he could likely hope for would be a minimum deal and a shot to compete for a roster spot in training camp.
Rice, 28, last appeared in an NFL game back in 2013 when he ran for 660 yards on 214 carries (3.1 YPC) to go along with 58 receptions for 321 yards receiving and four total touchdowns.
It’s worth mentioning that Rice dealt with a hip injury that year, which could explain his dip in production.
However, Pro Football Focus has him rated as the worst qualifying running back in the league that year.
We’ll have more regarding Rice possibly returning to the NFL as the news is available.
Looking for the latest NFL Insider News & Rumors?
Be sure to follow NFL Trade Rumors on TWITTER and FACEBOOK for breaking NFL News and Rumors for all 32 teams!
