Rashee Rice returns to Chiefs practice with Patrick Mahomes amidst his criminal charges

The Kansas City receiver is trying to focus on football

Lapresse

It is yet to be seen what kind of consequences Rashee Rice will face following his involvement in a multi-car accident on a Dallas freeway last month, but the Kansas City Chiefs receiver is back on the field in the meantime, trying to get ready for the 2024 NFL season.

Rice was filmed Wednesday running routes and catching passes as his criminal case for street racing moves forward, and Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes seems quite willing to welcome the second-year receiver back into the fold despite the charges he is facing down in Texas.

Rice gets his reps in

Rice and Mahomes worked out together Wednesday, days after offseason workout programs began for teams with returning head coaches. Mahomes, ever-dedicated to perfecting his craft and to winning above all else, knows how valuable Rice was to Kansas City last season — and as the Chiefs pursue a three-peat, a locked-in Rice will be needed in Andy Reid‘s offense.

Rice enjoyed a solid rookie season in 2023, and the second-round pick quickly emerged as a reliable target for Mahomes. The former Southern Methodist standout caught 79 passes for 938 yards and seven touchdowns during the regular season, demonstrating consistency while other Chiefs receivers faltered.

But the nature of the charges against Rice and the complexities of the legal system could convince Chiefs general manager Brett Veach to pursue another wide receiver with his team’s first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Kansas City has been linked with Texas wideout Xavier Worthy amidst the drama surrounding Rice, and it remains to be seen whether the organization will pull the trigger after adding free-agent receiver Marquise Brown earlier this offseason.