Travis Kelce‘s 2025 season hasn’t opened the way Kansas City Chiefs fans are used to seeing.
That could soon change with the long-awaited return of wide receiver Rashee Rice, who is back in the lineup after serving a six-game suspension for his role in a reckless driving incident.
The Chiefs are hopeful that Rice‘s presence will give the offense a much-needed jolt and open up opportunities for Kelce, who has faced increased defensive attention this fall.
Rice, drafted in the second round in 2023, wasted little time establishing himself as Patrick Mahomes‘ most dependable target outside of Kelce.
His mix of strength, body control, and sharp route running made him an instant fit in Andy Reid‘s system. Before a hamstring injury ended his season last year, he was on pace to lead all Chiefs receivers again after doing so as a rookie.
The suspension that sidelined him stemmed from a high-speed crash in Dallas that involved multiple vehicles. Two people were hospitalized after the collision, and Rice later pleaded guilty to several charges. He reached a settlement with the victims and was handed a six-game ban by the league, which he has now served.
Nick Wright says Rice’s return could change everything for Kelce
FS1 host Nick Wright believes that Rice‘s re-entry into the lineup will have a ripple effect across the entire Chiefs offense, particularly for Kelce.
“From Thanksgiving of his rookie year through when he got hurt, he played nine games, not including the playoffs. In those nine games, he was seven catches for 90 yards a game. And in the playoffs, he added another 260 yards,” Wright said. “He’s excellent. And he’s going to play the Juju [Smith-Schuster] intermediate role. So, Travis will have more open spaces. Rashee will have more open spaces. [Tyquan] Thornton and Xavier [Worthy] are taking the tops off the defense.”
Wright’s breakdown highlights how Rice‘s skill set complements the team’s other offensive weapons. With younger receivers such as Tyquan Thornton and Xavier Worthy stretching the field, Rice‘s ability to win contested catches in traffic could relieve the double teams Kelce has faced all season.
If the two find rhythm quickly, it could restore the balance that has defined Kansas City’s most dangerous offenses under Mahomes.
The Chiefs currently sit at 3-3, still searching for the explosiveness that has made them perennial Super Bowl contenders. Without Rice, defenses have keyed in on Kelce, forcing Mahomes to rely on short throws and checkdowns. That strategy has limited big plays and frustrated a unit that thrives on tempo and creativity.
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