Chiefs should entertain trading for Eagles WR A.J. Brown after Rashee Rice's jail stint

Wide receiver Rashee Rice's latest legal issue should make the Kansas City Chiefs consider trading for Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown. 

A report surfaced Tuesday that Rice will spend 30 days in Dallas County jail after violating his probation by failing a marijuana test. The WR was previously sentenced to five years of probation and 30 days of jail time following his involvement in a multicar crash in Dallas in March 2024. The failed drug test resulted in jail time. 

Rice landing in more legal trouble shows why the Chiefs can't trust him. That should have them considering re-entering the sweepstakes for three-time Pro Bowler Brown. 

Why the Chiefs may want to trade for A.J. Brown

"Do [the Chiefs] circle back and maybe look at the idea of trading for A.J. Brown? I don't think that happens," Sports Illustrated NFL insider Albert Breer said on "The Breer Report" Wednesday. "They had that opportunity. They were on A.J. Brown's list. They said no to the Eagles in the first place. But I think if you're the Chiefs, you have to look at all of these things going forward because Rashee Rice clearly looks like somebody that you have not been able to rely on."

The Eagles are widely expected to trade Brown to the New England Patriots on or after June 1 to reduce the cap hit. The WR, of course, played for Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel while starring for the Tennessee Titans from 2019-21.

The Chiefs, however, have time to offer the Eagles a better package for Brown than the Patriots. It would almost certainly take a first-round pick (and more) to land a pass-catcher of his caliber. The Denver Broncos sent 2026 first- (pick No. 30), third- (pick No. 94) and fourth-rounders (pick No. 130) to the Miami Dolphins for WR Jaylen Waddle and a 2026 fourth-rounder (pick No. 111) in March.   

The Chiefs roster includes Patrick Mahomes, a generational quarterback, meaning they can afford to give up draft capital. Brown would also give the Chiefs something Mahomes has been lacking for years now: a true No. 1 option in the passing game. 

Last season, tight end Travis Kelce led the Chiefs in receiving yards (851 in 17 games). Rice, meanwhile, logged 571 yards receiving in eight games. (He served a six-game suspension for his involvement in the car crash before suiting up last season.) 

Kelce — who turns 37 on Oct. 5 — can't continue to be the team's primary target. Brown could be. He tied for 19th in the NFL in receiving yards last season (1,003 in 15 games).

The Chiefs keep hoping Rice will fulfill the promise he showed in 2023, when he finished sixth in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting. Kansas City, however, can't keep waiting for that to happen, especially after the team went 6-11 and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2014 last season. 

The Chiefs can't rely on Rice. They could count on Brown or another veteran wideout.