The Kansas City Chiefs may be out of the playoff picture, but don’t tell the players that. While Sunday’s loss to the Titans might have helped their draft position, the locker room isn’t interested in coasting into the offseason.
With a Christmas Day matchup against the division-leading Denver Broncos on deck, the Chiefs have a chance to throw a wrench into Denver’s pursuit of the AFC West crown and the conference’s top seed. But to do that, they’ll need reinforcements-and fast.
One name that looms large is Rashee Rice. The dynamic wide receiver remains in concussion protocol and has yet to return to practice, according to team reporter Matt McMullen.
That puts his status for Thursday night’s divisional clash in serious jeopardy. And make no mistake-Kansas City missed his playmaking ability in a big way against Tennessee.
Rice has been a sparkplug since returning from a six-game suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy. He didn’t just ease back into the offense-he lit a fire under it.
In just eight games, he’s hauled in 53 catches for 571 yards and five touchdowns. That’s the kind of production that can tilt a game, and it’s exactly what the Chiefs have lacked in his absence.
While Rice hasn’t quite maintained the electric pace he set in his return, his presence on the field changes how defenses line up. He stretches the field, wins one-on-ones, and gives Patrick Mahomes a reliable target when things break down. Without him, Kansas City’s offense has looked disjointed and short on answers.
If Rice can clear protocol and get even a limited practice in by Wednesday, there’s a sliver of hope he could suit up for the Christmas Day game. But even if he doesn’t make it back in time, the Chiefs will need him healthy and locked in for the final stretch of the season-and beyond.
This isn’t just about closing out a tough season with pride. There’s a bigger picture here.
Mahomes is still recovering from ACL and LCL surgery, and Travis Kelce-one of the greatest tight ends in NFL history-may be nearing the end of the line. That leaves Kansas City’s passing game in a state of flux.
And that’s where Rice comes in.
At just 25, he’s already shown he can be a foundational piece of the offense. He’s not just a stopgap-he’s a potential cornerstone.
But for that to happen, he needs to get healthy and stay on the field. The Chiefs are entering a period of transition, and Rice’s development could be the key to bridging the gap between the Mahomes-Kelce era and whatever comes next.
So while Thursday’s game may not carry playoff implications for Kansas City, it’s far from meaningless. If Rice is able to go, he could help spoil Denver’s holiday plans. If not, the focus shifts to getting him right for the future-a future that could hinge on his ability to become the go-to weapon this offense needs.