One more game. That’s all that separates Rashee Rice from stepping back onto the turf in Kansas City Chiefs red. The wideout has been counting days, first there were the LCL and hamstring injuries, and then the suspension. Now recovered and with his suspension nearing its end, Rice has fans in the City of Fountains talking again. And Rice hinted comeback with a cryptic message.

“Everybody Gotta Eat,” Rice warned on his X account. The phrase, simple but sharp, speaks to hunger. It’s a mindset. And it can also be a warning shot to defenses across the league that the Chiefs’ passing game is about to get another weapon back.

It’s been a long road since that painful Week 4 game last season when Kansas City beat the Los Angeles Chargers 17–10. Rice went down awkwardly after colliding with Patrick Mahomes while trying to stop a return after an interception. That hit ended his 2024 campaign, leaving a huge gap in the offense.

After all, in his first 20 games for Kansas, the wide receiver had logged 103 catches for 1,226 yards, and 9 touchdowns. His absence has been felt this season, too, as the Chiefs dropped their first two games against the Chargers and the Philadelphia Eagles. With Xavier Worthy also out against the Eagles (he left in the middle of the Chargers game with an injury), Patrick Mahomes’ primary target was WR Hollywood Brown, who logged 5 receptions for just 30 yards.

But now, as Week 7 approaches, Rice is set to make a comeback. But all the while he was gone, there was no lack of support for him.

Before the Chiefs’ Week 2 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles, several teammates made their feelings known. Kelce and Tyquan Thornton were among the players who rocked “Free 4” shirts — a direct nod to Rice’s jersey number.

The 25-year-old is serving a six-game suspension following his involvement in a multi-car crash last year. He pled guilty to two felony charges in July, receiving five years of probation and 30 days in jail. The NFL initially pushed for a harsher punishment but settled on six games. However, Kelce’s public support hasn’t sat well with everyone.

Travis Kelce’s Rashee Rice support sparked controversy

Marc Lenahan, the attorney for one of the crash victims, blasted the players for backing a man whose actions left others hurt. Speaking to TMZ, Lenahan called out Kelce directly, saying Rashee Rice hasn’t paid a dime of the $1.1 million settlement owed to his client, Kathryn Kuykendall.

He brought Taylor Swift into the mix.

“I respect that Kelce and Thornton support their teammate, but the ‘gym teacher’ needs to talk with the history teacher,” he said. The lawyer didn’t hold back, adding, “Rashee isn’t Nelson Mandela or Pepe Mujica, men who fought for what they believed in. There is evidence that Rashee was going 119 mph in a $1,749 per day Lambo rental that had pot and a pistol in it, on a highway on Easter weekend. Free Rashee? He already thinks he’s getting away scot-free. He’s not paid a single cent of the $1.1 million judgment he already owes our client, who is living anything but pain-free.”

Apparently, the issue runs deeper. Rice had agreed to a $1 million plus interest settlement back in April, but by July, Lenahan said the receiver’s camp claimed they couldn’t make the first $500,000 payment. The attorney even suggested a fix: “I get that banks would seem [Rice] as a bad risk, but Kelce loves him like a brother, and I respect that. Kelce could make that loan and not worry too much about how soon it gets repaid.”

Now, Rice remains under a $4.7 million rookie deal, some of which he’s losing during his suspension. But when he returns, he’s still expected to reclaim his spot as a top target for Mahomes. Still, with this controversy catching fire, it’s hard to see this story fading quietly anytime soon.