The Kansas City Chiefs would have at least two major opportunities to land a difference-making pass catcher in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. They could’ve even tried to get someone early in the second round as well.

Instead, they used most of their draft capital to address their defensive needs. That may have made sense to a degree, but the Chiefs could’ve used another pass catcher. Now, they might be stuck between a rock and a hard place with Rashee Rice.

The Chiefs May Have No Choice but to Extend Rashee Rice

Rice has made the headlines for all the wrong reasons since he entered the league. He looked like a superstar in the making in the second half of his rookie season, and that’s when disaster struck with his off-the-field issues.

Despite starring in another scandal, the NFL decided that he didn’t violate the league’s personal conduct policy, so he won’t be suspended next season. That said, he clearly cannot be trusted to stay out of trouble, but with a lack of alternatives, the Chiefs may have no choice but to give him a contract extension anyway.

From a production perspective, there’s absolutely no doubt that Rice deserves to get paid. When he’s on the field, he’s a tackle-breaking machine, Patrick Mahomes’ most efficient target, and someone who could easily top the 1,000 receiving yard mark every season.

That said, availability is the best ability. He’s been hurt or suspended for major stretches, and his behavior off the field should raise major concerns. That’s not likely to get any better once he gets his hands on generational wealth with his first big contract.

The Chiefs could’ve had Jordyn Tyson, Denzel Boston, Makai Lemon, KC Concepcion, or Omar Cooper Jr. in the first two rounds. They didn’t address their glaring need for another pass catcher, and with limited options in free agency, it looks like they might pivot to Tyreek Hill again.

Whatever the case, that should also put them on the clock with Rice and a potential contract extension. That’s a decision that could backfire tremendously if he doesn’t stay out of trouble or cannot stay on the field for whatever reason. It’s an even bigger risk if they cave into his initial demands, which is to get a contract similar to the four-year, $168.6 million extension Jaxon Smith-Njigba received from the Seattle Seahawks.

Even so, he should also know that he’s on thin ice and needs to prove that he can be trusted, at least early in the season. Whether that will be enough to make him get his act together after so many scandals remains to be seen.