Travis Kelce has been a cornerstone of the Kansas City Chiefs’ dynasty, and while he’s still performing at an elite level, it’s clear he’s in the twilight of his career. Speculation about his retirement has only intensified since last season, with 2026 widely considered a likely exit point, raising questions about who will lead the Chiefs’ receiving attack moving forward.
Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy has offered a clear answer, identifying the player he believes is ready to carry the team’s “torch” once Kelce steps away.
Who Will Step Up After Travis Kelce?
With Kelce’s retirement looming, the question on every Chiefs fan’s mind is who will step up to fill the void left by one of the greatest tight ends in NFL history. Kelce is in his 13th season with the Chiefs and has hauled in 22 receptions for 243 yards and two touchdowns through five games, ranking 15th in PFSN’s TE Impact metric.
Fortunately for the Chiefs fans, Nag believes the answer is already on the roster. “Rashee (Rice) is watching,” he said. “When Kelce moves on, guess who has the torch now? Rashee starts to see that.”
Rice, a second-round pick from the 2023 NFL Draft, has only played one full season for the Chiefs, but that was impressive, particularly in the playoffs. In four playoff games, Rice made 26 receptions on 33 targets, and 195 of his 262 yards were gained after the catch. Overall, he recorded 79 receptions for 938 yards and seven touchdowns.
In addition to his ability to come through in clutch moments, Rice shares another key trait with Kelce: elite route running. He significantly improved in this area in 2024 before suffering a season-ending right knee injury in Week 4 against the Chargers.
Rice, who is serving a six-game suspension, will return to the Chiefs’ lineup in two weeks, resuming his route-running apprenticeship alongside Kelce. While his suspension and legal troubles have kept him off the field, the team is eager to reintegrate him and maximize his talent in the offense.
Why Is Rice Suspended?
Rice’s off-field issues stem from a March 2024 offseason incident in Dallas, where he was involved in a multi-car crash that left multiple people injured. ESPN reported he made “multiple aggressive maneuvers around traffic” and struck other vehicles.
The wide receiver pleaded guilty to two third-degree felony charges of collision involving serious bodily injury and racing on a highway causing bodily injury. It was sentenced to 30 days in jail and five years’ probation.
Rice also pays roughly $115,000 to cover the victims’ medical expenses. According to reports, he was driving 119 mph just seconds before the initial impact in a 2020 Lamborghini Urus.
Rice’s absence has been felt on the field, contributing to Kansas City’s three losses in their first five games. He is set to return in Week 7 against the Las Vegas Raiders, providing a much-needed boost to the Chiefs’ passing attack.