For years, the Kansas City Chiefs have lacked a featured receiver to take pressure off Patrick Mahomes' shoulders. Travis Kelce is aging, the running game has been underwhelming, and the wide receivers haven't always stepped up.
Rashee Rice looked like the primary candidate to break the spell. He showed flashes as a rookie, but injuries and a suspension took a toll on his momentum. Now, he's perhaps the team's biggest wild card.
Hopefully, watching fellow 2023 draft classmate Zay Flowers get a four-year, $140 million contract extension will finally help him get his act together. If anything, that deal is a reminder of the type of money Rice could make it he puts together a pristine 2026 campaign.
Rashee Rice must endear himself to the Chiefs again this season
Flowers is a productive player. He's improved his production in every season, even with a quarterback in Lamar Jackson, who's known more for his scrambles and quick legs than for his willingness to sling the pigskin down the field.
Still, Rice had more receptions (79), receiving yards (938), and touchdowns (7) than Flowers in their respective rookie seasons. Despite being taken after him in the draft, Rice seemed to have the higher upside before his off-field decisions took a toll on his production.
Fast forward to today, and he's seen Flowers cash in, along with Jaxon Smith-Njigba becoming the highest-paid wide receiver in NFL history, and even Jayden Reed receiving a $50-plus million deal. Even fellow troublemaker Jordan Addison had his $18 million fifth-year option picked up, despite his off-the-field trouble hindering his long-term future as well.
The Chiefs probably would've given Rice an extension if it weren't for his latest run-in with the law. Now, he's entering a contract year and will make roughly $1.6 million when he could've already been set up for life.
Once expected to carry Tyreek Hill's torch, Rice has been one of the most disappointing players on the team in the past two years. He can still save face with a bounce-back season in 2026, but it may take much more than that to get paid.
Granted, NFL teams have loose morals, and they rarely hesitate to keep great players around when they're stars. The Chiefs are no better, and they will gladly look the other way and ignore his previous wrongdoings if he puts up big numbers in 2026.
For someone who has had to spend a big chunk of his career earnings on legal fees, watching a guy who may not be as good as you get generational wealth while you're still on your rookie deal must sting. Hopefully, it will help Rashee Rice set a straight course for a change.
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