The Kansas City Chiefs were almost derailed last season due to depth at the wide receiver position. They could have a similar problem in the upcoming season if the league takes action to punish Rashee Rice following the second-year player’s involvement in a speed-racing crash in March.
The Kansas City Chiefs have a situation to monitor
Rice’s lawyer admitted Rice was the driver of the Lamborghini involved in the crash. Police reportedly found 10.8 grams of marijuana in the vehicle. However, it’s unclear who the marijuana belonged to, and police are still investigating the incident.
Rice could potentially spend a long time behind bars, possibly as much as ten years. Even if He doesn’t go to jail, the crash could impact his NFL career.
Rashee Rice could be suspended
According to Nate Taylor with The Athletic, it is expected Rice will face charges from the race. Taylor wrote that Rice will “likely” be suspended by the league:
Despite a lack of criminal charges, a notable group of players — including former quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, quarterback Jameis Winston and running backs Ezekiel Elliott and Kareem Hunt — have been suspended by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.
Through the collective bargaining agreement with the NFL Players Association, the NFL and Goodell have broad disciplinary power. The league’s personal conduct policy states that NFL players and employees are “held to a higher standard and must conduct ourselves in a way that is responsible, promotes the values of the NFL and is lawful.”
Rice could be suspended multiple games next season for violating the personal conduct policy. Regarding Rice’s incident, the policy defines one violation as “conduct that poses a genuine danger to the safety and well-being of another person.”
The Chiefs will explore other options at WR this month
Rice’s suspension would be a major blow to the Chiefs offense. Rice was easily the Chiefs’ bright spot and best receiver last season on a group that was one of the league’s worst. There was hope he could be even better in the upcoming season when paired with Marquise Brown.
Fortunately, the Chiefs still have Brown. But if Rice cannot play, the Chiefs will need to add extra help to their receiver corps. One would expect the Chiefs to make an aggressive push to land a top wide receiver in round one of the draft.
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