The Kansas City Chiefs' offseason was dominated by the conversation surrounding wide receiver Rashee Rice. After the young pass-catcher had previously found himself in some serious legal hot water as a result of a serious hit-and-run that brought five years of probation an 30 days of jail, Rice managed to end up back in custody after violating his probation.
Rice was sentenced to 30 days in jail on May 19 after he tested positive for THC. Rice's sentence is scheduled to come to an end on Tuesday, as he will be released and rejoin the Chiefs right before mandatory minicamp.
Rice's previous stint in jail may finally be the wake-up call that he needs. The Chiefs are depending on him to be a big part of their offense in the post-Matt Nagy era, and no cornerback has been as big an obstacle to his success in the NFL as his own decision-making.
Chiefs need Rashee Rice to mature as jail stint ends
Rice's lawyer, Thomas McMurray, noted that Rice was kept in an "isolated cell" before his request to have him transferred to general population was granted. Rice was also now allowed to receive treatment for his knee after an offseason operation, before the Sheriff's Department was ordered to "provide the Defendant transportation to Parkland for knee therapy."
After all of that, and some quotes from Andy Reid that weren't well received by many both inside and outside of the Chiefs' sphere, Rice will return to the team for what is going to be a pivotal season. At this point, there seems to be a microscopic chance that Kansas City will give Rice a long-term contract extension worthy of someone with his talent.
Rice's inability to operate within the law has led to him torching all of the goodwill he engendered with Kansas City. The Chiefs have been very forgiving to someone who has put himself through as many trials and tribulations as he has, and very few would fault them if his inability to lock in and not repeat his past actions led to something as drastic as a trade or release.
A productive 17-game season from a contrite Rice who understands the consequences of his actions is what everyone involved in this relationship is striving for. Should he give them reason to doubt that this will come to pass, Kansas City would be well within its rights to distance itself from Rice.
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