Ex-Chief Blames Favoritism for Lack of Production in 2023

Former Chiefs WR Richie James, who joined the team for a cup of coffee but failed to produce and is now a free agent, isn't accepting responsibility for his part in the underwhelming season.

Instead, James took to social media to blame favoritism, arguing that Patrick Mahomes and the offense had other priorities more important than getting James the ball. Considering it ended in a second straight Super Bowl win, it's safe to say Kansas City's priorities were appropriate.

James finished with a disappointing career-low 114 receiving yards just one year after compiling 569 with the Giants, leaving his NFL future in doubt.

Former Chiefs WR Richie James Blames Favoritism for Minimal Production

Responding to a user on X disparaging him, James defended himself by insisting he was open but not thrown the ball.

"Love playing with Pat," James wrote. "But when you have TK, Paid Wr's & 2nd Rounders. I believe you have to get them the ball more even if i am open. It is a business."

He was, of course, referring to Travis Kelce, Rashee Rice, and Skyy Moore. There's some slight truth to James' argument but he's missing some obvious, crucial context. James played in only two games before being placed on injured reserve and missing two months. He fumbled a punt in Week 2 against the Jaguars too, so it's not like he was performing well before the injury either.

Once he returned after the bye week, the Chiefs were focused on gearing up for the playoffs, not catching James up to speed. Moore quickly suffered a season-ending injury himself, eliminating one of those second-round picks James complained about online.

To James' credit, he was open late in the Super Bowl for a potential game-winning TD and Mahomes threw it to Rice instead. Maybe that's what he's upset about but otherwise, James did nothing to separate himself and prove he deserved additional targets.

He's a solid player who had the lowest drop percentage in the NFL in 2023, though promptly dropped two of his 14 targets as a Chief. James caught one of four targets for six yards in the postseason run and while he got a Super Bowl ring for his efforts, there wasn't anything noteworthy about his play.

For a guy still looking for a job, perhaps James should worry more about his own play than the circumstances around him.

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