Rashee Rice’s off-field controversies keep outshining his talent. And the wide receiver could lose his NFL career if he doesn’t act on the advice experts have for him.

In an episode of Arrowhead Addict, podcast hosts Adam Best and Sterling Holmes ranked the biggest Kansas City Chiefs concerns. And Rice is high up on their “anxiety meter.” 

“I hope he understands that if he gets in trouble again. I don't know who's taking him on,” Holmes said. “He has to stay out of trouble or else he's not making any money. We know he's on a rookie contract on a second-year.”

In 2025, Rice was sentenced to 30 days in j*** after “he and another driver traveling at high speeds in sports cars caused a chain-reaction crash involving multiple vehicles and causing injuries on March 30, 2024, on a Dallas highway,” according to an NFL report.

The report further read, "Rice pleaded guilty to two third-degree felony charges.”

ESPN's Nate Taylor reported in April 2026 that the NFL closed an investigation on him due to “insufficient evidence to support a finding that he violated the personal conduct policy.” 

The conversation around his future, 26-year-old demanded “JSN (Jaxon Smith-Njigba) money, and to stay with the Chiefs for the rest of my career,” on a livestream, via Kalshi Football on X on April 7. JSN's four-year contract is worth $168 million, per Spotrac.

To which Leigh Oleszczak, who writes for Arrowhead Addict, wrote, “Rice surely knows that his performance has to mirror Smith-Njigba's if he's going to get paid that handsomely.”

It has been a downward curve. Rice started with 79 receptions for 938 yards in 16 games but ended with 53 receptions, 571 yards, and eight games last season. 

While experts monitor Rice's conduct, analysts are also suggesting a specific strategic model for the Chiefs' front office.

Analyst Points to Packers' Blueprint as Possible Model for Chiefs and Rice

In his article, Joshua Queipo of Arrowhead Addict, pointed out the “model” the Green Bay Packers “created” for wide receiver Christian Watson. He suggested that the Chiefs could do the same for Rice. 

“In September of last year, before Watson had played a single down in his return from the ACL, the Packers signed him to a one-year, $11 million extension with $6 million fully guaranteed,” Queipo wrote.

Watson tore his right knee ACL in a regular-season finale against the Chicago Bears in 2024. He returned in October 2025.

Queipo added, “The deal kept Watson in Green Bay through the 2026 season at a price that protected the team if his body broke down again, while giving Watson real money to take the pressure off his rehab.”

Rice, a former SMU star, in three seasons with Chiefs, has played in 28 games, starting 20. He made 156 receptions for 1,797 receiving yards, that's 11.5 yards per reception and 14 touchdowns. Considering his injuries and other issues, his production is solid.

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Written by

Akanksha Biradar

Edited by

Rudra Dubey