3 Chiefs Who Deserve More Playing Time
![Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice (4) runs the ball against Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Evan Engram (17) and safety Rayshawn Jenkins (2) during the fourth quarter of a NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 17-9. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape%2Fcover%2Fsport%2F50e41074ee26be59ab91dbc6a1bab89b2663eac0b7cccd394734a695d313723f.jpg "Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice (4) runs the ball against Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Evan Engram (17) and safety Rayshawn Jenkins (2) during the fourth quarter of a NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 17-9. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]")
Several young Chiefs players have flashed in limited playing time through the first two weeks. With roster shuffling following Chris Jones’ holdout and Travis Kelce’s injury, we’ve looked at players we otherwise might not have, and some deserve more playing time.
Kansas City is still looking for pass-catching answers, though Week 2 was a big improvement. The defense is holding strong and some surprising players are standing out early on.
Let’s look at three Chiefs who deserve more playing time heading into Sunday’s matchup with the Bears.
3 Chiefs Who Deserve More Playing Time
1. Rashee Rice, WR
Rice has five catches for 49 yards and a TD through two games, though he was on the field for only 18% of offensive snaps in Week 1.
Rashee Rice continues to lead Chiefs WRs in yards per route run (2.72). He only played 18% of snaps against the Jags. Gotta get Rice more snaps. pic.twitter.com/tStDzuTjcA
— Adam Best (@Arrowhead_Adam) September 18, 2023
He’s flashed when he’s played and looked fantastic in the preseason, so I’m anxious to see more of Rice moving forward. A second-round pick who looks more developed early on than Skyy Moore did last season, Rice quickly picked up the offense and has shown an impressive ability to break tackles.
If Kansas City’s woes at wide receiver extend into the coming weeks, it’ll be impossible to keep Rice on the sidelines.
I didn't include Rashee Rice because it made the list look less pretty with Puka and Jayden at the top. And I wanted Rice to have his own tweet.
— Jacob Gibbs (@jagibbs_23) September 19, 2023
He has 46% of KC's targets and 75% of the receiving yardage produced during the 18 passing plays that he's been on the field.
If…
The Chiefs’ schedule softens considerably over the next five weeks, starting with the 0-2 Chicago Bears on Sunday.
Here’s hoping Kansas City gets out to an early lead and we get to see an extended look at Rice in the second half.