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Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice was only targeted twice during the second half of Week 11.
The Kansas City Chiefs could have a big part of their offense missing next year as wide receiver Rashee Rice faces an uncertain future and the possibility of another long suspension, but one analyst believes the team can find a very seasoned replacement.
Rice is accused of domestic violence in a new civil lawsuit filed by his longtime partner, putting him in danger of facing a new suspension. Rice missed the first six games last season after being convicted of felony charges related to a street racing incident, and could miss more time in the coming year.
As The Athletic’s Jesse Newell noted, former girlfriend Dacoda Jones, the mother of Rice’s children, accused him of assault.
“The lawsuit alleges that Rice and Jones previously lived together at homes in the Victory Park area of Dallas and Lee’s Summit, Mo,” the report noted. “In the suit, Jones says that Rice strangled her during a December 2023 incident in Victory Park. The lawsuit also alleges that between 2023 and 2025, Rice “grabbed, choked, strangled, pushed, thrown, scratched, hit and headbutted Ms. Jones, as well as hit her with inanimate objects.”
Rice denied the charges, but the Chiefs receiver could still face a suspension as the league has wide latitude to punish players accused of crimes.
Logan Lararczyk of SI.com suggested the team could target a veteran receiver to replace Rice while he’s missing — or forever, if the team chooses to part ways with him.
Chiefs Have Limited Free Agency Options
While Lazarczyk suggested the Chiefs could look to the NFL draft for a long-term replacement, they may need a more immediate option to replace his production and could look to free agency.
While the options are limited, Lazarczyk suggested they could make a run at veteran Mike Evans.
“It is not a robust receiver market in free agency. Yes, there are players, including Tyreek Hill and Deebo Samuel, available, but those individuals are simply valued based on name alone,” he wrote. “Mike Evans could be in consideration, but he battled through multiple injuries last season and will be 32 years old at the start of next season.”
Evans would be entering his 13th NFL season, coming off a year where he played in only eight games. Evans made 30 receptions for 368 yards and three touchdowns — the first and only year of his career where he failed to top the 1,000-yard mark.
Lazarczyk suggested the Chiefs will look for more wide receiver help anyway, but that player’s role will depend heavily on what happens next with Rice.
“The Chiefs will most likely sign a veteran receiver for depth, but that player could be depended on more than Kansas City would like if Rice faces any discipline from the league,” he wrote.
Another Potential Option for Rashee Rice
Lazarczyk also suggested the Chiefs could find something of a return for Rice, which may be the most preferred option.
“If you told [general manager Brett] Veach and the front office that the team could receive a second-round pick for Rice, they may very well take it at this point. However, no team is going to give up a pick of that value for a player who could be facing significant legal discipline in the near future,” he wrote.
Nathan Dougherty is a sports reporter covering the NFL for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions and Miami Dolphins. Previously he wrote for the Rochester Business Journal and served as the assistant editor of athletic trade magazines Coaching Management, Athletic Management and Training & Conditioning. He is based out of Rochester, New York, and loves everything football. More about Nathan Dougherty
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