Richie James Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Richie James joined the Giants last offseason without much in the way of expectations, but his career-year in 2022 has led him to a reported new contract with one of the league’s best offenses. The veteran receiver is signing with the Kansas City Chiefs, per Mike Garafolo of NFL Network (Twitter link).

James began his career with the 49ers, putting up quiet offensive numbers during his first two NFL season. He demonstrated strong abilities as both a punt and kick returner during that span, which sparked a major jump in playing time in 2020. During that 2020 campaign, the former Middle Tennessee wideout racked up 394 receiving yards and one touchdown. A knee injury cost him the subsequent season and led to his San Francisco release.

Following his release, the 27-year-old joined the Giants as a free agent, a decision which paid off for both player and team. James comfortably set new career-highs in 2022, recording 569 yards and four touchdowns on 57 catches. Each of those figures ranked him second or in a tie for first on the team in those categories, despite James logging a snap share of only 46 percent.

While the wideout was a key member of the Giants’ passing game, the team turned elsewhere at the position with respect to in-house options who were retained. Darius Slayton, Isaiah Hodgins, Sterling Shepard and Jamison Crowder have all re-upped with New York, whose lone outside addition to the position room has been Parris Campbell. More moves to shore up the offense –- either in the form of a veteran signing or a high-end prospect being added via the draft -– are expected for the team.

In Kansas City, James will join the league’s No. 1 passing attack and scoring offense from last season. The Chiefs have lost JuJu Smith-Schuster and Mecole Hardman so far in free agency, leaving a vacancy for at least a depth addition. James will be compete for a role alongside Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Skyy Moore and Kadarius Toney in the WR room, one which could also see a more notable name brought in at some point in the near future.

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