Last year, Chiefs receiver Rashee Rice agreed to accept a six-game suspension under the Personal Conduct Policy after pleading guilty to multiple charges arising from a street-racing incident in March 2024. Now that Rice has landed behind bars for 30 days after violating the terms of his probation, the question becomes whether the league will take further action against him.
It becomes a legal question. And the answer could come from multiple relevant documents.
First, the Personal Conduct Policy possibly applies to Rice’s probation violation. The list of prohibited conduct contained in the Personal Conduct Policy includes "[i]llegal possession, use, or distribution of alcohol or drugs.”
The question becomes whether a probation violation arising from a positive THC test amounts to the “illegal use of drugs.” One on hand, Rice didn’t commit a fresh violation of the law. He did something he was told not to do during his five years of probation. (It’s very common for probation arrangements to mandate avoidance of alcohol or drugs.) On the other hand, his use of marijuana triggered an incarceration.
The Personal Conduct Policy also includes a broad catch-all provision prohibiting “conduct that undermines or puts at risk the integrity of the NFL, NFL clubs, or NFL personnel.” It would be a reach, in our view, to dub a basic probation violation based on a positive THC test as conduct that undermines the integrity of the NFL.
That doesn’t stop the league from trying to discipline Rice under the Personal Conduct Policy. Judge Sue L. Robinson has final say only as to the fact-finding portion of the process, and the facts of this one are undisputed. The league would have the right to appeal the final decision of Judge Robinson to the Commissioner, which gives the Commissioner ultimate control over the interpretation and application of the Personal Conduct Policy in cases of probation violations.
Second, the agreement between the NFL and Rice that resulted in Rice accepting his initial six-game suspension possibly includes language regarding the potential consequences of a probation violation. Without seeing the agreement, there’s no way of knowing whether it does or doesn’t. (If Rice’s agreement lacks such language, the Rice case could result in the league adding a term to similar agreements in the future.)
Third, the NFL’s Substance Abuse Policy has a provision that applies to violations of the law regarding “substances of abuse” (which includes marijuana). It allows the Commissioner to suspend the player for up to four games. But it does not mention a violation of law arising from a probation violation; the list consists only of a violation resulting in a conviction, an admission, “a diversionary program, deferred adjudication, disposition of supervision, or similar arrangement including but not limited to nolo contendere.”
The league could try to argue that a probation violation based on marijuana use falls into one of those categories. Unlike appeals under the Personal Conduct Policy, appeals under the Substance Abuse Policy are resolved by an arbitrator jointly hired and paid by the NFL and the NFL Players Association.
The threshold question is whether the league wants to take action against Rice. If it decides to do so, there are multiple potential avenues for doing so.
Maybe the NFL will decide that 30 days in jail is enough. Rice will miss the most important part of the offseason program. He’ll miss the mandatory minicamp, and likely be fined upwards of $100,000. He won’t be able to rehab his recent knee surgery. Or maybe the league will decide that Rice caught a break with his original suspension, given the behavior that caused it.
Regardless, the league has the same kind of broad discretion that a prosecutor does when it comes to deciding whether to charge or not to charge someone with a crime. If the NFL wants to target Rice, it can try. And, if the effort lands under the Personal Conduct Policy, the Commissioner will have the final say as to whether the suggested discipline will stick.
For now, the league is saying nothing. In time, it will become clear whether the league does, or doesn’t, plan to sideline Rice to start the 2026 season.
Chiefs Clips
June 1 is eight days away. An A.J. Brown trade is as little as nine days away.
As of June 2, the Eagles can trade Brown and spread the dead-money charge over two years. Most believe it’s just a matter of time before the trade happens. Most believe Brown will be traded to the Patriots.
Watch the video attached to this post. Patriots safety Kevin Byard and receiver Romeo Doubs recently spoke openly about the arrival of Brown as if it’s a done deal.
It’s entirely possible that the deal is unofficially done. Trade terms agreed to, and both teams keeping their mouths shut until Brown passes a physical and both teams communicate the terms of the transaction to the league office.
The Maxx Crosby fiasco from March was a lesson to all teams about not letting the cart get in front of the horse. Say nothing until the deal is official.
Could another team swoop in with a better offer? If the Patriots and Eagles have unofficially worked out a deal, and if both sides honor a transaction that remains unofficial until it becomes official, it’s too late for that.
Some are still suggesting the Rams could make a run at Brown. That ship sailed in March, when the Rams decided not to proceed based on the available medical information — and when the Rams allowed $24 million in 2026 compensation for receiver Davante Adams to become fully guaranteed.
If the Rams had done the deal, they would have traded Adams. It’s not impossible for someone else to enter the A.J. fray, especially if the Chiefs are suddenly having misgivings about whether Rashee Rice can be trusted after his recent probation violation.
For now, all signs are still pointing to Brown becoming a Patriot as soon as June 2.
One more member of the Chiefs’ 2026 draft class has put pen to paper.
According to the league’s daily transaction wire, second-round pick R Mason Thomas signed his rookie contract on Thursday.
Thomas, who was selected at No. 40 overall in April, played his college ball at Oklahoma. He was a first-team All-SEC selection in 2025, having registered 6.5 sacks with 9.5 tackles for loss in 10 games.
In all, Thomas registered 25.5 tackles for loss with 17.0 sacks in his college career.
Recently, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce called Thomas a “freak of nature,” adding he can’t wait to see how Thomas gets after quarterbacks as a pro.
The Chiefs signed one of their draft picks on Wednesday.
The NFL’s daily transaction wire shows that they have signed fourth-round pick Jadon Canady. The defensive back is the second member of the team’s draft class to agree to their four-year rookie deal.
Canady played at Tulane and Ole Miss before transferring to Oregon for the 2025 season. He started 13 times for the Ducks and compiled 39 tackles, two interceptions, a tackle for loss and a forced fumble last year.
Canady joins a Chiefs cornerback corps that underwent major changes this offseason and he should factor into the mix for playing time in the slot to open his career in Kansas City.
Chiefs receiver Rashee Rice has landed in jail for 30 days after the revocation of his probation due to a positive THC test. The timing, as it relates to his job, is not good; he’ll miss the rest of the offseason program.
There’s another problem related to his incarceration. Via Adam Schefter of ESPN, Rice underwent knee surgery last week. While behind bars, he’ll be unable to engage in rehab.
Per the report, Rice didn’t know he’d be sentenced for violating probation at the time he had the procedure.
The surgery removed loose debris that was causing inflammation in the knee Rice injured early in the 2024 season. He served a six-game suspension to start the 2025 season, after pleading guilty to charges arising from a March 2024 street-racing incident in Dallas.
It’s very common for probation orders to prohibit using marijuana and alcohol. Alcohol metabolizes quickly; the THC in marijuana can linger for up to 30 days.
Although Rice didn’t have time added to his 30-day sentence, his plea deal allowed him to serve time when he wanted. As it stands, he’ll have both his ability to prepare for a contract year and to properly recover from his knee surgery impacted by the unexpected stint in custody.
Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice was booked into a Dallas County jail on Tuesday after testing positive for THC.
Rice was sentenced to five years of probation and 30 days in jail at some point in that period for the third-degree felony of racing and causing bodily injury as a result of a car crash in Dallas two years ago. The Dallas County District Attorney’s office said in a statement that he has been ordered to serve those 30 days at a later time, but the positive test resulted in him serving them now.
The NFL suspended Rice for six games last season as a result of the incident and league spokesperson Brian McCarthy issued a statement on Tuesday.
“We are aware of the report and will decline further comment at this time,” McCarthy said.
Rice will miss the rest of the Chiefs’ offseason program and their mandatory minicamp if he remains in jail for the entire 30-day term. The Chiefs have not made any statement about the Rice matter at this time.
Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice is in trouble with the law again.
Rice has been ordered to spend 30 days in jail for violating his probation after he tested positive for THC, according to KSHB 41 in Kansas City.
Dallas County Jail records say Rice was booked this afternoon. If he remains in jail for the next 30 days, he will miss all of the Chiefs’ Organized Team Activities, and their mandatory minicamp.
Rice is serving five years of probation after a plea deal stemming from a multi-car crash he caused by racing on a Dallas highway in 2024. That plea deal required that Rice serve 30 days in jail at some point during the five years of probation. The NFL suspended him for six games.
Rice is also facing a lawsuit stemming from the street racing incident, which is scheduled to go to trial on June 9.
In a separate matter, Rice is being sued by a former girlfriend who accused him of domestic violence.
The 26-year-old Rice was the Chiefs’ second-round draft pick in 2023. When available he has been one of the Chiefs’ best offensive playmakers, but between his suspension and injuries, he has missed almost as many games as he has played.
The Patriots will be checking out a potential addition to their defense on Tuesday.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that defensive end Janarius Robinson will be working out for the team.
Robinson spent last season with the Chiefs, but he did not appear in any games after fracturing his foot in the offseason. Robinson was a Vikings fourth-round pick in 2021 and moved on to the Eagles in 2022, but spent most of both seasons on injured reserve.
Robinson did play in 16 games for the Raiders over the next two seasons. He had 13 tackles and 1.5 sacks in those appearances.
Since the inauguration of the 47th president, the NFL has been engaged in a delicate dance regarding its diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. This week, one of the key aspects of the NFL’s efforts returns, with a twist.
As the league explained in March, the Accelerator program is back — and it’s open to everyone.
At the time, NFL senior V.P. and chief diversity and inclusion officer Jonathan Beane said that it’s “not us taking the direction of anyone on the outside” or a “reaction to D.C.”
The NFL canceled last year’s Accelerator program, prompting speculation that it was hoping to avoid scrutiny by the anti-DEI forces within the federal government.
According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, 34 coaches and executives are scheduled to participate. They include Chargers offensive coordinator (and former Dolphins head coach) Mike McDaniel and current (and former) Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy.
Many of the other coaches on the list have had head-coaching interviews. Per Fowler, Rams offensive coordinator Nate Scheelhaase, Lions passing game coordinator (and former Giants interim head coach) Mike Kafka, Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski, Seahawks defensive coordinator Aden Durde, Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, Vikings quarterbacks coach Josh McCown, and Broncos special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi appear on the roster.
The list of executives set for the 2026 Accelerator program includes Terrance Gray (Bills), Nolan Teasley (Seahawks), John McKay (Rams), R.J. Gillen (49ers), Chad Alexander (Chargers), Glenn Cook and Catherine Hickman (Browns), Brandon Brown (Giants), Josh Williams (49ers), James Liipfert (Texans), Mike Bradway (Chiefs), Lance Newmark (Commanders), and Mike Greenberg (Buccaneers).
Although the federal government has yet to scrutinize the Accelerator program, it has become one of the issues in Florida’s ongoing attack against the NFL’s diversity initiatives. In a May 1, 2026, letter to Florida attorney general James Uthmeier, NFL general counsel Ted Ullyot wrote this: "[T]he Accelerator program is open to all individuals, regardless of race or sex. It provides an opportunity for prospective candidates for front office positions to participate in networking events, interview training, and facilitated development sessions.”
The dramatic change in the demographics of the Accelerator program will only reinforce the perception that the NFL is trying to avoid a late-night social-media storm of criticism regarding its commitment to diversity (along with the new kickoff formation). Regardless, after last year’s conspicuous cancellation, the Accelerator program is back. And it’s giving plenty of names already in the pipeline for one of the biggest jobs (coach and General Manager) access to the key decision makers and extra help to eventually secure one of those positions.
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is “making progress” in his rehab from major knee surgery, coach Andy Reid said Thursday. Reid, though, made it clear that it’s still uncertain whether Mahomes will receive clearance to return for the season opener.
But Mahomes is back playing golf, and his left knee looked good on the social media video he posted of a tee shot during his 15 and the Mahomies Vegas Golf Classic on Friday.
That’s a good sign as he continues to work his way back.
Mahomes underwent surgery on Dec. 15, a day after he tore the ACL and LCL in his left knee.
The NFL scheduled the Chiefs in primetime windows despite the lack of a timetable for Mahomes’ return.
“The Chiefs are an incredible story,” NFL executive Hans Schroeder said Friday, via Josh Dubow of the Associated Press. “They’re one of the most popular teams in the league right now. They’ve been on an incredibly successful run for a number of years now, and have built a hugely popular fan base. We went into the year planning to play the Chiefs in the same number of windows. We didn’t know anything more than you did, but we’re certainly hoping Patrick would be back Week 1. . . . We felt really good about it and certainly feel better after seeing Andy’s comments this morning with how Patrick’s rehab’s going.”
