The Kansas City Chiefs may soon have to contend with a future without their star tight end, Travis Kelce but as speculation about the tight end’s potential retirement grows, it seems as though the side has already identified their next offense leader.
Concerns over the impact of his absence on the Chiefs‘ offensive success are mounting. However, while Kelce‘s departure would undoubtedly be a setback, the return of a star playmaker already on the roster could help mitigate the loss.
Mina Kimes believes that Rashee Rice holds the key to getting the best out of Patrick Mahomes in the 2025/26 NFL season as the ESPN reporter weighed in on the uncertainty surrounding the Chiefs’ offensive structure.
“I think it’s a big loss,” Kimes acknowledged, referring to Kelce. “I also think, though, getting Rashee Rice [back], depending on his health, might compensate for that in some ways.
“I think the loss of Rashee Rice was kind of slept on.”
Rice, a promising wide receiver, showed immense potential before suffering an LCL injury in October 2024 that ended his season prematurely. In his rookie campaign in 2023, he made an immediate impact, recording 79 receptions for 938 yards and seven touchdowns across 16 games, including eight starts.
Before his injury in 2024, Rice had already accumulated 24 catches for 288 yards and two touchdowns in just over three games. His ability to create explosive plays downfield made him an integral part of the Chiefs‘ offensive schemes and even saw Kelce seeming a cut-out figure in the attack.
Will Kelce return for another season?
Despite his talent, Rice‘s availability in 2025 remains uncertain due to his involvement in a hit-and-run incident in Dallas in March 2024. The accident, which included six vehicles, resulted in two hospitalizations and additional injuries to other victims.
Given the circumstances, the NFL may impose a suspension, but the length and certainty of any disciplinary action remain unclear so could Kelce be convinced to stay an extra year to help his side out if Rice ends up suspended?
The looming question remains a hot topic following the Chiefs‘ Super Bowl LIX loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, with fans and teammates unsure of what the Ohio-born athlete’s future looks like as he discusses it with Taylor Swift.
At 35 years old and with three Super Bowl titles to his name, Kelce has little left to prove, and recent reports suggest that he is leaning toward returning for at least one more season rather than retiring.
“There’s definitely a sense that Travis is going to try to play more,” NFL insider Dianna Russini weighed in on The Rich Eisen Show. “I haven’t heard anyone saying, ‘Yeah, he’s really struggling with what he wants to do.’
“It’s definitely leaning more towards that.”
