Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice has now found himself in more legal trouble.
News broke Tuesday that Rice violated his probation, testing positive for marijuana, and will now have to serve 30 days in a Dallas County jail, meaning he will miss OTAs and mandatory minicamp. Pro Football Talk’s Josh Alper noted the WR was sentenced to five years of probation and 30 days in jail following his involvement in a multicar crash in Dallas in 2024. The failed drug test resulted in jail time.
Rice served a six-game suspension for the car crash last season. NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy didn’t clarify if he will be suspended again.
“We’re aware of the report and will decline further comment at this time,” McCarthy said, via Alper.
Adding to the Chiefs’ concerns is that Rice is dealing with an injury. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported he underwent surgery on his right knee to remove loose debris causing inflammation one week before his jail sentencing. He’s expected to be sidelined for two months but should be ready for training camp later this summer.
The injury and legal issues raise questions about whether the Chiefs can rely on Rice in 2026. Your best ability is availability. And if he’s unavailable for more of the offseason or the regular season, a middling Kansas City passing attack could look even weaker.
Chiefs passing attack remains a question with or without WR Rashee Rice
Last season, the Chiefs ranked 17th in the league in passing yards (214.1 per game). Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes, a two-time league MVP, threw for 3,587 yards passing and 22 touchdown passes, his lowest marks since his rookie season in 2017. Attribute those numbers to a pedestrian group of pass-catchers.
Tight end Travis Kelce led the team in receiving yards (851 in 17 games) last season. Marquise “Hollywood” Brown (now with the Philadelphia Eagles) ranked No. 2 on the Chiefs in receiving yards (587 in 16 games).
Kelce, who turns 37 on Oct. 5, can’t continue to be a No. 1 option for a team’s passing attack. The Chiefs were counting on Rice becoming that in 2026 after flashing promise early in his career. He finished sixth in 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year voting after catching seven TDs in 16 games.
Last season, Rice logged a team-leading 71.4 receiving yards per game (53 receptions for 571 yards in eight games) but struggled with drops, recording five, the second most in his career (via Pro Football Reference).
Rice has had five or more drops in two of his three seasons. Missing out on valuable reps at OTAs and minicamp may worsen this problem.
For some reason, the Chiefs didn’t invest in their passing attack this offseason. They retained WR Tyquan Thornton in free agency and selected Cincinnati Bearcats WR Cyrus Allen with pick No. 176 in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Allen (5-foot-11, 180 pounds) tied for third in the country in TD catches (13) in 2025, but the undersized WR may not replicate his college productivity at the NFL level.
The Chiefs needed a revitalized passing attack after missing the playoffs for the first time since 2014 last season. With more questions surrounding Rice, it’s even less certain that the aerial attack will rebound in 2026.
