Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice has navigated a tumultuous start to his NFL career, marked by a lucrative rookie contract, on-field fines, a league suspension, and serious legal repercussions from a high-speed multi-car collision in Dallas. The financial details of his deal and the costs of his off-field actions paint a complex picture of his professional journey so far.
The Financial Breakdown: A $6.49 Million Rookie Contract
According to the sports financial data site Spotrac, Rashee Rice entered the NFL in 2023 by signing a standard four-year rookie contract with the Kansas City Chiefs. The total value of this deal was $6.49 million. This package included a $1.72 million signing bonus and $3.51 million in total guaranteed money. The contract averages out to an annual salary of approximately $1.62 million.
Looking ahead to the 2026 season, Rice is scheduled to earn a $1.56 million base salary along with a $75,000 workout bonus. His current dead cap value, the financial hit the Chiefs would take if they released him, stands at $430,947. To date, his career earnings from his NFL contracts total $4,445,866.
Contract Year-by-Year Cash Flow
A closer examination of his annual earnings, as per Spotrac, reveals the following structure:
- 2023: At age 23, Rice earned a cash total of $2,473,788, comprising a $750,000 base salary and his full $1,723,788 signing bonus.
- 2024: His cash total was $1,045,237, which was entirely from his base salary while he was on injured reserve.
- 2025: He was set to earn $926,841, including an $843,648 base salary and an $83,193 workout bonus.
- 2026: He is projected to earn $1,635,711, from a $1,560,711 base salary and a $75,000 workout bonus.
On-Field Fines and League Suspension
During his young career, Rice has faced disciplinary action from the NFL on multiple occasions. He was fined twice during his rookie 2023 season for unsportsmanlike conduct. The first fine, levied in October 2023 against the Los Angeles Chargers, was for $6,561. He received an identical $6,561 fine in November 2023 for a similar infraction against the Denver Broncos.
A more significant penalty came in August 2025, when the NFL suspended Rice for the first six games of the season for violating the league's Personal Conduct Policy. This suspension resulted in a direct financial forfeiture of $421,824 from his 2025 salary.
The Dallas High-Speed Crash and Legal Consequences
The most severe incident impacting Rice's career and personal life occurred in March 2024 in Dallas. Rice was driving a Lamborghini SUV at a staggering speed of 119 mph on a freeway moments before causing a chain-reaction crash involving six vehicles. Four people were injured in the collision. His former college teammate, Teddy Knox, was also involved, driving a Corvette at 116 mph.
Rice faced serious legal consequences for his actions. He pleaded guilty to two third-degree felony charges: collision involving serious bodily injury and racing on a highway causing bodily injury. His sentence included 30 days in jail and five years of probation.
In a statement released through his attorney in July 2025, Rice expressed profound remorse. "Last March, I was involved in a high-speed accident in Dallas," he said. "There have been a lot of sleepless nights thinking about the damages that my actions caused, and I will continue working within my means to make sure that everyone impacted will be made whole." He urged the public to drive safely and concluded, "I am profoundly sorry for the physical damages to person and property. I fully apologize for the harm I caused to innocent drivers and their families."
Career at a Crossroads
The combination of his contract, the fines, the suspension, and the legal fallout from the Dallas crash defines the early narrative of Rashee Rice's time in the NFL. While his on-field talent earned him a multi-million dollar commitment from the Chiefs, his off-field decisions have led to substantial financial penalties, legal jeopardy, and a tarnished public image. His future performance and conduct will determine whether he can move past these significant setbacks and fully realize his professional potential.
