Patrick Mahomes wants to do everything he can to help Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice.
The second-year pass-catcher has been in a lot of hot water this offseason after he was involved in a multi-car accident in Dallas and was accused of assault in a different incident. Rice faces eight felony charges from the crash, while the assault allegations were dropped by the victim.
Mahomes told reporters at OTAs this week that he hopes Rice can learn from his mistakes and grow as a person and as a player.
"It’s not just me [trying to help Rice], Mahomes said Wednesday. "[We’re all] just trying to do whatever we can to teach him how to learn from his mistakes. Obviously, that was a big mistake. You get to learn from it and make sure it doesn’t happen again and try to do whatever you can to be the best person you can be in society, not only for yourself but for the people around you. I think he is doing that.
"We're trying to do whatever we can to get him on the right path," Mahomes added, via Charles Goldman, "to that he can be a great football player, but we want him to be a great person, too."
Rice attended Chiefs OTAs this week despite the ongoing investigations. The Chiefs also expect a "multi-game suspension" from the NFL following Rice's off-field troubles. How long Rice could be out remains unknown and likely won't be announced until closer to the season and/or when the investigations end. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said during the 2024 NFL Draft in late April that the league will "allow the legal process to move through" before making a decision.
The Chiefs need Rice for their threepeat quest in 2024. Rice was the team's second-best pass-catcher behind tight end Travis Kelce and the team's top wide receiver during their Super Bowl run. He finished his rookie year with 79 receptions for 938 yards and seven touchdowns as the Chiefs, including four receptions for 26 yards and one touchdown in the postseason.
Kansas City added to the receiver room this offseason — before and after Rice's incidents. The Chiefs signed former Cardinals wide receiver Marquise Brown during free agency and drafted Xavier Worthy in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Both should play big roles in the Chiefs' offense regardless of Rice's availability this season.
Rice's situation is the second major off-field distraction for the Chiefs. Kicker Harrison Butker made a litany of controversial and concerning statements during a college commencement speech earlier in May. While Butker likely won't face any consequences from the league, his public perception took a major hit after Pearl Jam lead singer Eddie Vedder, the nuns of the college Butker spoke at and journalist Maria Shriver all spoke out against him.
Mahomes, Reid and Goodell, meanwhile, all offered centrist perspectives on Butker's opinion. Mahomes said he disagreed with Butker but wouldn't judge him on his comments. Reid added that respects Butker's opinion and voice. Goodell said that the NFL has a "diversity of opinions and thoughts just like America does" which is "something we treasure."
Quite the offseason for a team looking to make NFL history as the first club to win three consecutive Super Bowls.
