WR Rashee Rice, KC (9 Viewers)

[Bossman]

Anyone care to make a projection on what Rice's numbers will be this year instead of what his legal situation looks like, since ya know, fantasy football and all

I'll go

101/1211/9

I think the fact he prob plays a full season, another year of Kelce falling down and year 3 of being in the system (we still do year 3 WR jumps right?) he should be an easy top 10 finisher provided he plays 15+ games

I agree Kelce is fading quickly. Anytime players start contemplating retirement it feels like there heart is no longer in it 100%.
Worthy should command more targets with another year under his belt but I think your numbers are still pretty doable for Rice.
If he is healthy and stays healthy. ... and I don't think the NFL suspends him at any point this season.
I'll predict on the modest side, as I think KC is slipping a bit as a team, and say 88/1045/6

 

[socrates]

Here are a couple NFL suspensions from 2024. Neither of which needed to "let the legal system play out";
- Janerious Robinson DE LAR - Arrested for DUI Feb 2024 - Suspended by NFL for 3 games 2024 for "suspicion of DUI". Has not plead guilty and has yet to be sentenced.
- Sam Williams DE DAL - Arrested for possession of a controlled substance and unlawful carrying of a weapon Aug 2023 - Suspended by NFL for 3 games 2024 for "violating leagues personal conduct policy". Has not plead guilty and has not been sentenced.
Seems Rice may be receiving preferential treatment ... for whatever reason.

The NFL's Substance Abuse Policy differs from their Personal Conduct Policy. Janerious Robinson was suspended under the Substance Abuse Policy.

Sam Williams was suspended in October 2024 for 3 games without pay for an incident in August 2023 for violating the NFL's Personal Conduct Policy. Interestingly, Williams received his suspension while he was already on IR for a torn ACL and MCL.

The Personal Conduct Policy (which Rice's conduct falls under) provides: "A player violates this Policy when he has a disposition of a criminal proceeding (as defined below), or if the league’s investigation demonstrates that he engaged in conduct prohibited by the Policy. In cases in which a player is not charged with a crime, or is charged but not convicted, he may still be found to have violated the Policy if the credible evidence establishes that he engaged in prohibited conduct."

Disposition of a Criminal Proceeding "Includes an adjudication of guilt or admission to a criminal violation; a plea to a lesser included offense; a plea of nolo contendere or no contest; or the disposition of the proceeding through a diversionary program, deferred adjudication, disposition of supervision, conditional dismissal, adjournment in contemplation of dismissal, pretrial intervention or similar arrangement."

Rashee Rice's case is being handled by the NFL according to the terms of the Personal Conduct Policy, and it is not inconsistent with this Policy to await the resolution of the underlying criminal matter. The outcome of Rice's criminal case may affect the length of a suspension more than whether he receives any suspension.

So we're saying that Rice's delayed suspension is being handled correctly and Sam Williams suspension was not?
Either way, the NFL is not being consistent.

No. Williams' suspension was delayed more than a year, as well. If the League's investigation demonstrated that he engaged in conduct prohibited, the NFL can issue the suspension without the criminal case being resolved. Evidently, that was the case. Was that by agreement or admission? Who knows? The NFL does not provide details of their investigations.

As for Rice, delaying his trial until after the season does not guarantee him that a suspension (or NFL Exempt List) will not be issued this season. There is going to be a suspension, and I would draft Rice accordingly. I think the real question is, will the suspension be on the low side (3-4 weeks) or longer (6-8 weeks, or longer)?

 

[ChiefD]

saw him on the stanley cup finals the other night and he did look like he lost a bunch of weight from last year.

I’m not sure that’s a good thing with a TE. He looked his normal size last year, he just looked slow and old.

Maybe the weight loss will help with that, but will he still be as dominant at a lighter weight.

Nope. He was phat. And not in a good way.

 

[Terpman22]

Anyone care to make a projection on what Rice's numbers will be this year instead of what his legal situation looks like, since ya know, fantasy football and all

I'll go

101/1211/9

I think the fact he prob plays a full season, another year of Kelce falling down and year 3 of being in the system (we still do year 3 WR jumps right?) he should be an easy top 10 finisher provided he plays 15+ games

That looks good to me for a full season.

The big problem I have with drafting him is the uncertainty with his suspension. What if the suspension comes down right before week 15?

Oh I mean for sure. I'm banking on the full legal process not being complete this year though. And if you can get this production thru week 14, I'd be pretty stoked, just gotta have appropriate depth and he should be a value this year.

 

[socrates]

saw him on the stanley cup finals the other night and he did look like he lost a bunch of weight from last year.

I’m not sure that’s a good thing with a TE. He looked his normal size last year, he just looked slow and old.

Maybe the weight loss will help with that, but will he still be as dominant at a lighter weight.

Nope. He was phat. And not in a good way.

Agreed. Kelce looked pudgy last season, and it showed in his play. Coming to Camp in better shape will be a plus. Still, Kelce is at an age when other TEs are enjoying retirement. (Gronk is essentially the same age as Kelce.)

 

[JohnnyU]

saw him on the stanley cup finals the other night and he did look like he lost a bunch of weight from last year.

I’m not sure that’s a good thing with a TE. He looked his normal size last year, he just looked slow and old.

Maybe the weight loss will help with that, but will he still be as dominant at a lighter weight.

Nope. He was phat. And not in a good way.

Agreed. Kelce looked pudgy last season, and it showed in his play. Coming to Camp in better shape will be a plus. Still, Kelce is at an age when other TEs are enjoying retirement. (Gronk is essentially the same age as Kelce.)

That’s what playing house will do to you.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

saw him on the stanley cup finals the other night and he did look like he lost a bunch of weight from last year.

I’m not sure that’s a good thing with a TE. He looked his normal size last year, he just looked slow and old.

Maybe the weight loss will help with that, but will he still be as dominant at a lighter weight.

Nope. He was phat. And not in a good way.

Agreed. Kelce looked pudgy last season, and it showed in his play. Coming to Camp in better shape will be a plus. Still, Kelce is at an age when other TEs are enjoying retirement. (Gronk is essentially the same age as Kelce.)

That’s what playing house will do to you.

Women… weaken… legs.

—Mickey Goldmill

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Anyone care to make a projection on what Rice's numbers will be this year instead of what his legal situation looks like, since ya know, fantasy football and all

I'll go

101/1211/9

I think the fact he prob plays a full season, another year of Kelce falling down and year 3 of being in the system (we still do year 3 WR jumps right?) he should be an easy top 10 finisher provided he plays 15+ games

I’ll go out on a limb, sure

95 receptions, 1092 yards, 8 TD
15 rushing attempts, 110 yards, 2 TD

 

[Terpman22]

Anyone care to make a projection on what Rice's numbers will be this year instead of what his legal situation looks like, since ya know, fantasy football and all

I'll go

101/1211/9

I think the fact he prob plays a full season, another year of Kelce falling down and year 3 of being in the system (we still do year 3 WR jumps right?) he should be an easy top 10 finisher provided he plays 15+ games

I’ll go out on a limb, sure

95 receptions, 1092 yards, 8 TD
15 rushing attempts, 110 yards, 2 TD

276.1 PPR vs 275.2 PPR

 

[dblock05]

FWIW, there are no legal charges filed against Rice at the moment. Hard to imagine any suspension happens in the near future

 

[socrates]

FWIW, there are no legal charges filed against Rice at the moment. Hard to imagine any suspension happens in the near future

I understood there are 8 pending felony charges against Rice. To my knowledge, no court date has yet been established. The NFL will likely allow the criminal court case to play out before issuing a suspension, but that is not guaranteed.

 

[Dez]

Underdog ADP through the roof

 

[FarFromHome]

Underdog ADP through the roof

Never used underdog. What's his current adp there?

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Underdog ADP through the roof

Never used underdog. What's his current adp there?

22nd overall

 

[TheWinz]

Underdog ADP through the roof

Never used underdog. What's his current adp there?

22nd overall

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Underdog ADP through the roof

Never used underdog. What's his current adp there?

22nd overall

Yeah, I was same.

 

[FarFromHome]

Underdog ADP through the roof

Never used underdog. What's his current adp there?

22nd overall

Yeah, I was same.

Damn. Thats drafting him at his absolute ceiling. Late 3rd maybe seems okay to me.

 

[ratbast]

Rice is hyped too much.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Rice is hyped too much.

I paid a lot for him. No ragrets.

 

[JohnnyU]

Rice is hyped too much.

I paid a lot for him. No ragrets.

Do you say that with forked tounge?

 

[Grid71]

R

Underdog ADP through the roof

Never used underdog. What's his current adp there?

22nd overall

Yeah, I was same.

Damn. Thats drafting him at his absolute ceiling. Late 3rd maybe seems okay to me.

worthy used to have a higher ADP but rice has moved up from 4th to late 2nd after positive camp reports. Worthy has drifted down as rice rose. It’s becoming less common to see rice get back to the turn for the chase team.

People who took the risk early got some great ADP value in contests like BBM6. Wasn’t a cozy click at the time but could be a nice edge in a contest that big.

 

[Gruden's Keyboard]

This feels stressful like that year Zeke was in legal trouble...

If it's up in the air, legit commissioners could exempt him from redraft fantasy rosters this season.

 

[FarFromHome]

Sites daily email article has him at 13. Seems about right to me.

 

[travdogg]

Sites daily email article has him at 13. Seems about right to me.

I think its a little high myself. A ranking that high feels like its assuming he'll not only not be suspended this season, but also that his knee injury will have no effect. I think Rice is going about a round too high now. I'd have a really hard time in redraft taking him over more proven guys like Mike Evans or Terry McLaurin.

 

[FarFromHome]

Sites daily email article has him at 13. Seems about right to me.

I think its a little high myself. A ranking that high feels like its assuming he'll not only not be suspended this season, but also that his knee injury will have no effect. I think Rice is going about a round too high now. I'd have a really hard time in redraft taking him over more proven guys like Mike Evans or Terry McLaurin.

I guess for me my gut and mind dont think the suspension will happen until next year. I have no idea why I think that. I just do. So assuming no suspension, i have him over those two for this year. Ive seen enough from the knee to not be too concerned. He just seems to really click with Mahomes. I see him taking the next step in the football field. All my opinion of course and reserve the right to change that opinion with good conversation.

 

[pinkstapler]

13 feels a bit high to me too, esp. when it's falling in the middle/late 2nd round overall in drafts. I understand the first three games were a banger and definitely that plus the last 5-6 games of the previous season would make any owner feels great about his prospects for this season. Anyone would want to project that to continue, but that feels like a very high price to pay considering it's still projection. I also happen to not love the other WRs going in that range, so I wouldn't plant a flag any of them DEFINITELY deserve to be ahead of Rice. But I do think if I find myself there in drafts, I'll be taking a TE like Bowers or McBride 75% of the time, and failing that probably taking a RB the other 15% like Taylor or Jacobs.

 

[FarFromHome]

Aopears they set trial date yesterday of January 20th. Interesting that his attorney is a Texas senator, which helps explain the delay a bit. Didn't know any of that. I guess that means he is good for us fantasy nerds for upcoming season?

MSN

Link

 

[Scoresman]

One of the things about the Chiefs that I learned doing projections is that they are consistent as hell in terms of running their offense. Pass:Run ratio the last few years has been very predictable. That's why I put more weight in the three games Rice played in last year. Obviously injuries are going to derail a team's plans, but they came out of the gate last year with Rice on fire. If he had maintained his pace, he would've been WR2, behind only Jamarr Chase.

The other aspect here is Xavier Worthy. Worthy definitely stepped up last year in Rice's absence, but he did this by switching up his style. Instead of being the kind of WR that stretches the field, he switched up and ran more of Rice's underneath routes. For a few years now, defenses have stopped allowing the Chiefs to beat them with deep passes. Mahomes' aDOT has been falling ever since. No reason to think this stops, so Rice should benefit as he did at the start f last year.

I figured his ADP would rise, and right now I'd still draft him where he is, but hopefully he doesnt rise any further.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Sites daily email article has him at 13. Seems about right to me.

I think its a little high myself. A ranking that high feels like its assuming he'll not only not be suspended this season, but also that his knee injury will have no effect. I think Rice is going about a round too high now. I'd have a really hard time in redraft taking him over more proven guys like Mike Evans or Terry McLaurin.

I don’t think his knee is an issue at all. I’ve seen him at speed, cutting and juking - he is 100%. Mahomes said he looks better than he ever has. It was a more minor knee issue than ACL/MCL.

I’m confident that his potential suspension & one’s estimation of his target share should be any evaluator’s only concerns at this point.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Aopears they set trial date yesterday of January 20th. Interesting that his attorney is a Texas senator, which helps explain the delay a bit. Didn't know any of that. I guess that means he is good for us fantasy nerds for upcoming season?

MSN

Link

That means he won’t be suspended this year.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

13 feels a bit high to me too, esp. when it's falling in the middle/late 2nd round overall in drafts. I understand the first three games were a banger and definitely that plus the last 5-6 games of the previous season would make any owner feels great about his prospects for this season. Anyone would want to project that to continue, but that feels like a very high price to pay considering it's still projection. I also happen to not love the other WRs going in that range, so I wouldn't plant a flag any of them DEFINITELY deserve to be ahead of Rice. But I do think if I find myself there in drafts, I'll be taking a TE like Bowers or McBride 75% of the time, and failing that probably taking a RB the other 15% like Taylor or Jacobs.

I’m taking Rice at ADP every time. He’s in for a monster season. I’ll plant that flag all day.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Sites daily email article has him at 13. Seems about right to me.

I think its a little high myself. A ranking that high feels like its assuming he'll not only not be suspended this season, but also that his knee injury will have no effect. I think Rice is going about a round too high now. I'd have a really hard time in redraft taking him over more proven guys like Mike Evans or Terry McLaurin.

I guess for me my gut and mind dont think the suspension will happen until next year. I have no idea why I think that. I just do. So assuming no suspension, i have him over those two for this year. Ive seen enough from the knee to not be too concerned. He just seems to really click with Mahomes. I see him taking the next step in the football field. All my opinion of course and reserve the right to change that opinion with good conversation.

I’m with you.

I love Evans but he’s a soft tissue concern every year. He’s managed to play through them recently, but I’ve also rostered Evans when he was gimpy with those hammies and it wasn’t fun.

I love me some TMc, but I’m not taking either over Rice if that’s what I’m choosing from.

 

[jm192]

13 feels a bit high to me too, esp. when it's falling in the middle/late 2nd round overall in drafts. I understand the first three games were a banger and definitely that plus the last 5-6 games of the previous season would make any owner feels great about his prospects for this season. Anyone would want to project that to continue, but that feels like a very high price to pay considering it's still projection. I also happen to not love the other WRs going in that range, so I wouldn't plant a flag any of them DEFINITELY deserve to be ahead of Rice. But I do think if I find myself there in drafts, I'll be taking a TE like Bowers or McBride 75% of the time, and failing that probably taking a RB the other 15% like Taylor or Jacobs.

I’m taking Rice at ADP every time. He’s in for a monster season. I’ll plant that flag all day.

Agree 100%.

With word that it wasn't an ACL, he's flown up my rankings. I swear I remember reading ACL at some point.

I'm assuming he's 100% and Mahommes peppers him with targets from day 1. I've got him up to WR13 just behind Higgins, and am debating that.

 

[menobrown]

Just will say I've had zero concerns on his injury recovery or suspension since like February though I appreciate those things giving me a few solid discounts.

I do find concerns valid, well at least for me, how his target share looks and if that justifies his ADP in what will be very different looking WR group then he had at the end of his rookie season and first few games last year.

His ADP in FFPC is right at WR12 and I got no issue with it, hard call between him and few WR's in that range.

 

[Penguin]

I love Rice but damn he's expensive, you're not getting +ev

 

[TripItUp]

Definitely being drafted closer to his ceiling than his floor.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Definitely being drafted closer to his ceiling than his floor.

Along with Chase, JJ, Puka, etc. Lot of players get drafted at their ceiling. Not every player is a bargain.

If I can land him as my WR2 in my upcoming SF startup I’ll be thrilled.

 

[Hu-Tang Clan]

Traded my 1.06 for him about a month ago!

 

[Bronco Billy]

Full disclosure - I am not a lawyer but do have legal training.

I don’t understand why there is such focus on the 1/20/26 court date as assurance that Rice will not be suspended this season.

Roughly 92% of criminal cases do not make it to trial because the case is resolved through a plea agreement. Another 5-6% are dismissed (witnesses failing to testify, insufficient evidence to support the charges, etc). Only 2-3% actually go to trial. In other words, the criminal end of this could be resolved well before 1/20/26. Then the NFL will likely step in and determine its penalty, and likely pretty quickly given how extremely thoroughly they investigate the situations (that’s what got Zeke, despite some thinking it was arbitrary).

Rice is charged with 8 counts including one count of aggravated assault, one count of collision involving serious bodily injury, and six counts of collision involving injury. It doesn’t end there. He has not been charged yet - but still could be - with felony leaving the site of an accident involving injuries and doing so without checking on those injured. That is a significant and severe crime in Texas.

I’m just guessing, but the DA is likely holding the leaving the scene felony as leverage to get a plea deal that has some bite on the current 8 charges. Furthermore, Rice has already volunteered a public confession of his role and responsibilities in the racing/crash. Both would seem to indicate that this will be plead out before the trial date and additionally that the possibility of a dismissal is off the table.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Full disclosure - I am not a lawyer but do have legal training.

I don’t understand why there is such focus on the 1/20/26 court date as assurance that Rice will not be suspended this season.

Roughly 92% of criminal cases do not make it to trial because the case is resolved through a plea agreement. Another 5-6% are dismissed (witnesses failing to testify, insufficient evidence to support the charges, etc). Only 2-3% actually go to trial. In other words, the criminal end of this could be resolved well before 1/20/26. Then the NFL will likely step in and determine its penalty, and likely pretty quickly given how extremely thoroughly they investigate the situations (that’s what got Zeke, despite some thinking it was arbitrary).

Rice is charged with 8 counts including one count of aggravated assault, one count of collision involving serious bodily injury, and six counts of collision involving injury. It doesn’t end there. He has not been charged yet - but still could be - with felony leaving the site of an accident involving injuries and doing so without checking on those injured. That is a significant and severe crime in Texas.

I’m just guessing, but the DA is likely holding the leaving the scene felony as leverage to get a plea deal that has some bite on the current 8 charges. Furthermore, Rice has already volunteered a public confession of his role and responsibilities in the racing/crash. Both would seem to indicate that this will be plead out before the trial date and additionally that the possibility of a dismissal is off the table.

NFL has typically taken the position that if there is a situation with the courts, that they will let the legal system play out before determining a suspension.

The only exception I’ve seen to this in the Goodell regime is for situations involving sexual assault (Watson, most recently Tucker).

So it stands to reason that if his trial isn’t until January, he won’t be suspended this year. He still might get suspended— 2026 is a new season— but it’s extremely unlikely he misses time due to suspension in 2025 since his court case isn’t until 2026.

Also lots of things can happen between now and then. He can, for example, pay off those injured, minimizing some of the exposure. He could plead down, accepting a guilty plea to lesser charges, making some of the worst charges go bye bye.

Rice is privileged to be a wealthy athlete who can hire the best defense attorneys.

Once all has been resolved and the dust has settled, then the NFL will determine what, if any suspension is warranted. Rice also has the advantage that no one was killed or seriously injured, and while fleeing the scene was abhorrent behavior, the result is that if he was drunk or otherwise under the influence or in possession of anything, there’s nothing that can be proved.

Those factors are likely to additionally minimize the NFL’s punishment.

Finally, if you’re a Chiefs conspiracy theorist, because he plays for the chiefs nothing will happen because the NFL would never hurt the Chiefs like that. Personally I don’t buy into that one much. Heh

 

[Jppaul]

If Rice, his agent, lawyers, etc. can't get a suspension in the middle of the season, then they'll delay legal proceedings until it's too late to be suspended this year.

He'll likely get something like the first four games of next season. He's not going to want to do four games right before the playoffs.

 

[FarFromHome]

Full disclosure - I am not a lawyer but do have legal training.

I don’t understand why there is such focus on the 1/20/26 court date as assurance that Rice will not be suspended this season.

Roughly 92% of criminal cases do not make it to trial because the case is resolved through a plea agreement. Another 5-6% are dismissed (witnesses failing to testify, insufficient evidence to support the charges, etc). Only 2-3% actually go to trial. In other words, the criminal end of this could be resolved well before 1/20/26. Then the NFL will likely step in and determine its penalty, and likely pretty quickly given how extremely thoroughly they investigate the situations (that’s what got Zeke, despite some thinking it was arbitrary).

Rice is charged with 8 counts including one count of aggravated assault, one count of collision involving serious bodily injury, and six counts of collision involving injury. It doesn’t end there. He has not been charged yet - but still could be - with felony leaving the site of an accident involving injuries and doing so without checking on those injured. That is a significant and severe crime in Texas.

I’m just guessing, but the DA is likely holding the leaving the scene felony as leverage to get a plea deal that has some bite on the current 8 charges. Furthermore, Rice has already volunteered a public confession of his role and responsibilities in the racing/crash. Both would seem to indicate that this will be plead out before the trial date and additionally that the possibility of a dismissal is off the table.

Full disclosure. I am not a lawyer, but I've watched Law and Order SVU since season 1, so I'm basically a lawyer.

Solid post. He is looking at some really serious charges. In the end, some type of plea deal is the likely outcome. Would he take a deal today if it was best for him criminally, knowing he would now miss the first 4 games this year? Is he just gonna try and delay delay delay? I have no idea. I actually made a mistake when first reading that article . Its the court date for his CIVIL trial not his criminal trial. This fiasco is an example of how slowly the wheels of justice can move. Seems odd, because in this case, we literally have the crime on camera.

 

[Buckna]

Oh, if it's the civil date it's a nothing burger, they'll delay it again if the Chiefs are in the playoffs. Plus that gives a lot of time to settle.

Apparently still no news on the criminal case.

 

[scothawk]

Im not going into this for various reasons but he is 100% do not draft at whatever price for me

In dynasty I sell for what i can get

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Im not going into this for various reasons but he is 100% do not draft at whatever price for me

In dynasty I sell for what i can get

Wild take.

 

[scothawk]

Im not going into this for various reasons but he is 100% do not draft at whatever price for me

In dynasty I sell for what i can get

Wild take.

How is it wild?

He has has legal problems and potentially an attitude problem.

Also had a bad injury.

Plays on a declining passing offense (although I expect this to change)

Why take the risk?

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Im not going into this for various reasons but he is 100% do not draft at whatever price for me

In dynasty I sell for what i can get

Wild take.

How is it wild?

He has has legal problems and potentially an attitude problem.

Also had a bad injury.

Plays on a declining passing offense (although I expect this to change)

Why take the risk?

An attorney (and FBG writer) has expressed a pretty optimistic view that Rice wouldn’t be suspended this year.

I’m going to go with the attorney/FBG here. It checks out with historic suspension protocol by the NFL, too.

Also this from SI.com

"Several have asked about the status of Rice’s unresolved criminal charges for last year’s speed racing incident in Dallas," said Mike Florio of NBC Sports
"He has yet to be suspended by the league, despite facing (at last word) eight felony charges. That’s because the league won’t take action until the criminal case ends. The case has not ended."

"It’s not clear when it will. Regardless, the league will do nothing until it does."

"And while paid leave is an option, the league has already decided not to use it in Rice’s case. New evidence the league’s position; however, nothing has happened yet to change the status quo."

That’s pretty optimistic.

"At the outset of the 2024 season, the plan was for Rice to resolve the criminal case and take his NFL punishment in the offseason, serve any suspension to start 2025, and move on with his career. Possibly after doing enough in 2024 to merit a significant contract following the 2025 season, which will be his third in the league." "Even if the case against Rice ended today, time would be required for the league’s procedures under the Personal Conduct Policy to unfold. Up to and including a hearing before Judge Sue Robinson."

That all sounds to me like nothing’s gonna happen in 2025.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Also had a bad injury.

His injury wasn’t that bad. That’s been debunked upthread. It was erroneously reported that he tore his ACL/MCL.

Turned out to be a much less significant injury. From the videos that have come out and Mahomes comments it sounds like that’s not at all a concern.

 

[Riffraff]

If Rice, his agent, lawyers, etc. can't get a suspension in the middle of the season, then they'll delay legal proceedings until it's too late to be suspended this year.

He'll likely get something like the first four games of next season. He's not going to want to do four games right before the playoffs.

On the flip/financial side:
He's still on the rookie deal at 2.5mil total the last 2 years and he's spent plenty of it - doesn't make the mega-bucks yet.
He makes more $$ next year 2mil than this year 1.7mil. 4-8 game checks could be a decent difference in lost cost - especially when he'll be paying civil suit six figure NDA payoffs and senator lawyer fees.
Definitely want it resolved before he gets a new deal where he ups it by +30mil/year where the per game checks are immense.

Rice is privileged to be a wealthy athlete who can hire the best defense attorneys.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

If Rice, his agent, lawyers, etc. can't get a suspension in the middle of the season, then they'll delay legal proceedings until it's too late to be suspended this year.

He'll likely get something like the first four games of next season. He's not going to want to do four games right before the playoffs.

On the flip/financial side:
He's still on the rookie deal at 2.5mil total the last 2 years and he's spent plenty of it - doesn't make the mega-bucks yet.
He makes more $$ next year 2mil than this year 1.7mil. 4-8 game checks could be a decent difference in lost cost - especially when he'll be paying civil suit six figure NDA payoffs and senator lawyer fees.
Definitely want it resolved before he gets a new deal where he ups it by +30mil/year where the per game checks are immense.

Rice is privileged to be a wealthy athlete who can hire the best defense attorneys.

I doubt it will be 8 games. By the time all the dust settles, some charges will disappear, some civil suits will have been settled to go away, and some lesser charge will be pleaded to.

Based on what we’ve seen in the past my money is on 4, reduced to 3 on appeal or something like that. I could be wrong. The legal types I’ve seen opine on the situation seem to expect something like that.

He did something stupid. It was him & several other people. No one died, no domestic violence, no way to prove drugs or alcohol involved. Most folks with legal background seem to suggest that looks way worse now than it likely will by the time it goes to court.

I’m just a reader like the rest of you. I don’t know what will actually happen. But seeing consensus opinion gave me additional confidence to deal for him. If he gets 8+ games or goes to jail, I will eat crow. But I’m skeptical that happens.

ETA: talking about 2026. I don’t think he’s suspended in 2025 at all.