Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice will miss the opening stretch of the 2025 NFL season after the league suspended him for six games. The punishment follows Rice’s guilty plea to two third-degree felony charges stemming from a March 2024 car crash in Dallas.
The NFL announced the suspension under its personal conduct policy, concluding its own internal investigation just a week before the Chiefs begin their season in Brazil against the Los Angeles Chargers. Rice’s absence is a major blow for Patrick Mahomes and an offense already tasked with rebuilding chemistry heading into another Super Bowl defense campaign.
The 24-year-old receiver pleaded guilty six weeks ago to charges of collision involving serious bodily injury and racing on a highway causing bodily injury. Prosecutors confirmed Rice received a five-year deferred probation sentence along with 30 days in jail as a probation condition. The plea deal avoided a drawn-out trial but created immediate questions about Rice’s availability for the Chiefs.
By issuing its suspension before the scheduled September 30 hearing with former federal judge Sue L. Robinson, the league effectively closed the case without further appeals. The six-game ban is in line with previous punishments for off-field conduct violations, sending a clear message about accountability. Rice will be eligible to return on October 19 when Kansas City hosts division rival Las Vegas Raiders.
Rice’s suspension covers some of the most high-profile matchups of the early NFL calendar. He will sit out the season opener in São Paulo, followed by a Super Bowl rematch against the Philadelphia Eagles on September 14 at Arrowhead Stadium. Other missed games include a Sunday night trip to face the New York Giants, a primetime clash with Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens, a Monday night meeting with the Jacksonville Jaguars, and a marquee showdown with the Detroit Lions.
Rice was expected to build on a promising 2024 campaign where he emerged as one of Mahomes’ most trusted targets. His ability to stretch defenses and convert key downs gave Kansas City much-needed explosiveness. With him sidelined, the Chiefs will likely lean more heavily on tight end Travis Kelce, free agent additions, and younger receivers fighting for larger roles. Head coach Andy Reid will also be tested to reconfigure his playbook to maintain balance without Rice’s presence.
For the Chiefs, the suspension comes at a delicate moment. Pundits have warned that Kansas City’s dynasty could wobble if depth issues surface, and losing Rice early only heightens those concerns. The defending champions have little margin for error in a loaded AFC, and each missed weapon makes the path to another playoff run more difficult.
Rice now faces the challenge of not only serving his suspension but also working to repair his reputation both inside and outside the locker room. For Kansas City, the next six weeks will test its adaptability and resilience as it navigates the toughest part of the season without one of its rising stars.
