Chiefs supporters pay attention to Patrick Mahomes when he talks. As a result of his transformation of the Chiefs from an NFL also-ran into a perennial powerhouse that is poised to win a third straight Super Bowl this upcoming season, Mahomes has earned the title of “living legend” in Kansas City.
Following a “down year” in 2023, Mahomes and the Chiefs are intent on stepping up their offensive game in 2024. Rashee Rice, a wide receiver in his second year who made a lot of noise as a rookie, was thought to be an important part of the Chiefs’ assault, but his slow-moving legal issues could cause him to miss a lot of games this season.
Nevertheless, despite the uncertainty surrounding the former Southern Methodist standout, Mahomes is behaving as though he will rely even more on Rice in 2024.
Patrick Mahomes: Rice continues to improve
Speaking with media on Friday, Mahomes stated that he saw a more “explosive” Rice than the receiver did during his rookie year, when he totaled 1,200 receiving yards between the regular season and the postseason. When Rice arrived at training camp this week in better shape than a year ago, Mahomes, who is adamant that Rice is becoming “better and better,” undoubtedly had assistance.
#Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes says that Rashee Rice has taken a step forward from his rookie season: “He was making that progress at the end of last year in the playoffs. He’s just getting better and better. He came to camp in better shape. You’ve been able to see how much explosion…
— Charles Goldman (@goldmctNFL) July 26, 2024
However, Rice faces the possibility of a protracted suspension due to a hit-and-run incident that occurred at a fast speed in Dallas back in March.
The NFL has been considering suspending Rice in accordance with its personal conduct policy, but the process has been sluggish because Rice is currently the target of civil litigation rather than criminal action.
Therefore, it is possible that Rice’s ban may be postponed until 2025, providing Mahomes with an additional year to deepen his bond with one of his top targets. Rice is off to a great start going into year two, if the footage from training camp is any indication.
