The Kansas City Chiefs may face the reality of a future without star Travis Kelce beginning next season, but that might not hurt as much as fans around the NFL think.

Mina Kimes of ESPN pondered the relative mystery of the Chiefs’ status in 2025 compared to the rest of the best in the league if they’re staring down the barrel of their first campaign without the 10-time Pro Bowl tight end as a main offensive component since his rookie year in 2013.

And while Kimes stated categorically that Kelce’s absence would be a blow to Patrick Mahomes and his three-time Super Bowl championship offense, that blow would also be softened by the return of a semi-forgotten playmaker already on the roster.

“I think it’s a big loss. I also think, though, getting Rashee Rice [back], depending on his health, might compensate for that in some ways,” Kimes said. “I think the loss of Rashee Rice was kind of slept on.”

A dynamic, big-play threat at wide receiver, Rice suffered an LCL injury to his knee in early October and missed the remainder of the year because of it.

But in 16 games and eight starts as a rookie in 2023, Rice hauled in 79 receptions for 938 yards and 7 TDs on the Chiefs’ way to a Super Bowl ring. He tallied 24 catches for 288 yards and 2 scores across three games and change in 2024 before getting injured.

Rice was involved in a hit-and-run incident in Dallas in March 2024, which involved six vehicles. Two people ended up hospitalized after the accident, while two other victims sustained injuries.

Due to the nature of Rice’s involvement, it is possible the NFL could decide to suspend him for a period of the 2025 season, though Kimes said she was uncertain if such a punishment would come or how many games it might entail.