Kansas City Chiefs owner Clark Hunt has provided an update on the Rashee Rice situation that could spell good news for fans, although it’s also quite worrying.
The wide receiver is expected to be suspended next season, but there’s been no word on when it might happen or for how long he will be out.
The Kansas City Star’s Sam McDowell has reported being told by Hunt that there have been no discussions with the NFL about a potential ban for the player.
While that could mean Rice will not be suspended, it also suggests that the Chiefs could lose their most productive wideout at some point in the middle of the season or even into the playoffs.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has said that the league will wait for the matter to play out on the legal side before making any decision. Should the matter drag on, it could derail the Chiefs’ season as they could lose the WR at a crucial point of a campaign they hope to end as three-peat champions.
Clark Hunt tells @SamMcDowell11 there has been no discussions with the NFL regarding a possible suspension for WR Rashee Rice. Potential punishment still a ways off.
— Matt Derrick (@mattderrick) July 22, 2024
🚨NEWS: There have been ZERO DISCUSSIONS between the #NFL & the #Chiefs regrading possible suspension for WR Rashee Rice, owner Clark Hunt tells the KC Star.
This is VERY GOOD NEWS for KC, because there’s now a very high chance that Rice does not get suspended this year. pic.twitter.com/exRVqwwRCh
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) July 22, 2024
If Rashee Rice is to be suspended, it would be better to have him out to start the season, as the Chiefs offense would be able to adjust and welcome him back whenever the ban is over. The other way around would make things more difficult.
It’s also possible that he will be suspended next season, but there’s no way of knowing for sure right now.
In the meantime, the player is in training camp, and the team is proceeding as if they expect him to play a full season in 2024.
