In this series, we will look at established players — virtual locks to make this year’s Kansas City Chiefs squad — with the most riding on the 2026 season.
When the Chiefs arrive in St. Joseph later this month, arguably no player will be under more scrutiny than the expected top wide receiver — fourth-year pro Rashee Rice.
There may be no player in the NFL with more riding on the coming season than Rice. Depending on how his contract season goes (on and off the field), Rice could either be one of the league’s
top-paid wideouts in 2027 — or he could find himself out of football altogether.
To earn a place in the increasingly lucrative top receiver market next spring, Rice will need to prove himself on three fronts in 2026.
Obviously, Rice’s first priority needs to be better decision-making off the field. He was suspended for the first six games of the 2025 season after reaching a plea deal for felony street racing charges from a 2024 car crash in Dallas. His availability to start 2026 is still uncertain due to spending part of this offseason in the Dallas County Jail due to a probation violation for testing positive for THC.
Another significant legal incident could see Kansas City (and other teams) pass on his talent entirely in free agency. While his off-field behavior is entirely in Rice’s control, another major consideration isn’t. Ahead of free agency, Rice also needs to prove that he can be depended on to stay healthy even when not suspended.
His second season ended less than a fourth of the way through after he suffered a major knee injury in Week 4 of 2024 and underwent surgery to repair his LCL. Rice looked healthy when he finally returned from suspension last year, but he did miss the final three games of the lost 2025 season after suffering a concussion.
Before serving his jail sentence this summer, Rice reportedly underwent a cleanup procedure on the knee and was already expected to be sidelined until training camp. Any missed time in 2026 will likely limit his future earning potential — even if he can convince teams of his improved maturity.
When adjusting Rice’s production over eight appearances last season to a full 17-game slate, he would have chalked up approximately 113 catches for 1213 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Despite a heavy target share on the field, however, Rice still faces questions about his NFL ceiling.
Rice undoubtedly has a cerebral connection with quarterback Patrick Mahomes, particularly when plays break down and the star passer improvises. His career average depth of target is only 4.7 yards, and 70% of his career receiving yardage has come after the catch.
He has found himself in a valuable role for head coach Andy Reid’s offense, but other teams will have questions about Rice’s fit if he is not firmly in Kansas City’s future plans.
Spotrac currently estimates Rice’s market value to be $17.4 million annually on a three-year contract. Satisfactorily answering the concerns both on and off the field could easily push his earnings north of that figure.
If he shows no further development in his route tree, however, Rice could struggle to earn that tier of contract on the open market. Even with a long history of NFL teams gambling on troubled players, another embarrassing incident (or major injury), could end his career.
It should be no understatement that Rice’s fourth campaign will determine whether he receives the financial stability of a major second contract, plays out his days bouncing around the league on one-year deals or finds his career over much earlier than anyone expected.
