Richie James already has high praise for Chiefs fans following first few months in KC

When Kansas City Chiefs receiver Richie James was asked what it’s been like with his new team, his eyes started to answer the question for him.

While attending teammate Marquez Valdes-Scantling’s softball tournament in early June at KC Monarchs’ Legends Field, James’ gaze scanned from right to left as he viewed red-clad Chiefs fans in each direction.

“It’s been great. It’s different obviously. Everybody shows up, as you can see,” James told The Star. “This is one of the craziest fan bases I’ve seen, been a part of. I love it.”

James, who had a career year with the New York Giants in 2022 after four seasons with San Francisco, said he wasn’t expecting this — more than 4,000 tickets were sold for the event — when he arrived as one of more than 40 Chiefs participating.

“Come on now. A charity game ... it’s sold out,” James said. “You don’t see that too often.”

How much Chiefs fans should expect from James in 2023 remains an open question as the team prepares for training camp in mid-June.

The 5-foot-9 James — he’ll turn 28 in early September — was the Giants’ second-leading receiver a year ago with 57 receptions for 569 yards. That catch number was particularly notable, as before then, he’d never caught more than 23 in a season.

He also put up that production one year removed from season-ending knee surgery in 2021.

“Just taking advantage of the opportunity that’s been given to me over the years,” James said of his increased output. “Obviously, a seventh-round draft pick, so you don’t get too many opportunities. You just take advantage of them.”

The offseason market for James still didn’t materialize quickly. The Chiefs signed James late in free agency — during the first week of April — to a one-year deal with a $1.08 million base salary, according to OverTheCap.

Chiefs general manager Brett Veach said later in April that James had long been a team target. In fact, Veach said the Chiefs had talked with San Francisco about James over one of the trade deadlines in a previous season.

“Always liked the player,” Veach said on April 20. “Think he’s a versatile guy, and he also does punt returns too. So he can take some pressure off K.T. (Kadarius Toney) or Skyy (Moore) or whoever’s back there. Just having another guy is something we think is a plus.”

Chiefs special teams coach Dave Toub said on June 1 that James was “definitely in the mix” for the team’s starting punt returner. James had 24 punt returns for 174 yards with a 7.3-yard average last season.

Perhaps helping James’ cause on offense will be a quick learning curve. Last year, James played for Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka, who spent his five previous seasons on Andy Reid’s Chiefs coaching staff.

When asked what he liked about his new opportunity with the Chiefs, James said, “Everything.”

“It’s very similar offenses,” James said. “And you got the smartest and the greatest head coach you can possibly ask for.”

James’ signing with KC means he also reunites with a former teammate; James and Toney played for the Giants in 2022 before the Chiefs acquired the latter player in a midseason trade.

After calling Toney “my guy,” James said his first impression of his Chiefs position group was that the team had a “stacked room” filled with versatile players.

So where does James see himself fitting among KC’s wideouts?

“Wherever they put me at,” James said. “I’m just here to contribute to whatever they want me to do.”