How the Chiefs' plan for Rashee Rice makes them an AFC threat again

The Kansas City Chiefs are beginning to resemble the offensive powerhouse many anticipated, and they are about to receive a significant midseason boost with the return of WR1 Rashee Rice. 

After serving a six-game suspension for his involvement in a hit-and-run accident over the summer, Rice is set to play against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday.

ESPN reports indicate that the Chiefs plan to give him a full workload right from the start, making him a key target for Patrick Mahomes.

Why Chiefs' Rashee Rice was suspended for six games

Rice's suspension resulted from a high-speed crash in Dallas in March 2024. Police report that he was racing in a Lamborghini, which caused a multicar pileup. Several individuals were injured, but none sustained fatal injuries. Rice later turned himself in, took responsibility for his actions and pleaded guilty to two felony charges: racing on a highway, causing bodily injury, and a collision involving serious bodily injury. As a consequence, Rice received five years of probation, a total of 30 days in jail to be served intermittently and he agreed to pay restitution to the victims.

How Rashee Rice can help the Chiefs in his return

The wide receiver group for Kansas City has been a mix of players stepping up to keep things stable. Xavier Worthy has shown potential, Hollywood Brown has added speed, JuJu Smith-Schuster has brought valuable experience, and, of course, there's Taylor Swift's fiancé, Travis Kelce, doing his best to keep everything running smoothly.

None of those names intimidates a defense like Rice does. When he's healthy, he is the one player who can consistently create separation, win contested catches and provide Mahomes with a true No. 1 target. Although the Chiefs have been winning, they haven't had a reliable go-to receiver since Tyreek Hill left for Miami. Rice reintroduces that important element to the team.

According to multiple reports, Rice is in exceptional shape and has fully recovered from the ACL injury that prematurely ended his 2024 season.

Rice should see numerous targets, red-zone opportunities and ample opportunities from the jump. Although Kansas City has been spreading the ball around early in the season, Mahomes has demonstrated in the past that once he trusts a player, he prioritizes them. Anticipate Rice stepping back into the role of the team's top target.

The Chiefs can make another deep playoff run

Whether you love them or hate them, the Chiefs are well-prepared for January. They have demonstrated the ability to win even when their offense has fallen short of their usual high standards. However, when Rice returns to the lineup, the team's potential significantly increases. His chemistry with Mahomes was clear last year before his injury, and if that connection resumes, Kansas City's offense could transform from merely good to truly frightening.

For the rest of the AFC, this is bad news. The Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills were surely hoping this would be the year that Kansas City finally takes a step back. However, when a team adds a healthy and motivated WR1 to an offense led by Mahomes, Kelce and head coach Andy Reid's playbook, another Super Bowl run suddenly seems very possible.