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

James started his career with the 49ers, putting up sparse numbers on offense during his first two seasons there. He demonstrated strong abilities as both a punt and kick returner during that span, however, and saw a major jump in playing time in 2020. During that campaign, he racked up 394 yards and one touchdown. A knee injury cost him the subsequent season, though, and led to his San Francisco release.

The 27-year-old headed to New York during his first opportunity at free agency, 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%.

While the Middle Tennessee State product 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 date has been Parris Campbell. More moves – 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.

The Giants have brought in a productive element to their special teams unit. The team is signing returner/receiver Richie James to a one-year contract, per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo (Twitter link). 

James, 26, spent the first three seasons of his career in San Francisco. He held a modest role in the team’s offense for his first two campaigns, recording just 15 catches. In 2020, however, he was on the field for 54% of the team’s offensive snaps, making a career-high 23 receptions for 394 yards.

The former seventh rounder is best known, though, for his ability as a returner. During his trio of seasons with the 49ers, James totalled 32 punt returns, averaging 7.3 yards per attempt. He also ran back 47 kickoffs at a clip of 23 yards per return, including a 97-yard touchdown in his rookie season.

James was set to continue in San Francisco for another year, but a knee injury – and subsequent surgery – led to his release this past August. The Middle Tennessee alum missed all of last season as a result. In New York, he will get the opportunity not only to operate as a return man, but also potentially to serve as a deep threat on offense.

San Francisco’s interest in a reunion with James dissipated when they signed former Steeler Ray-Ray McCloud to take over their return duties. Now both they and the Giants will hope to see improvements in the third phase of the game in 2022.