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On Friday, however, the NFL concluded Rice \u201chas not engaged in conduct that violates the personal conduct policy,\u201d ESPN\u2019s Adam Schefter reports<\/a>. No suspension is coming at this time, per Schefter. This will be welcome news for Rice and the Chiefs, who have certainly run into a few high-profile off-field issues over the past several years. One season remains on Rice\u2019s rookie contract.<\/p>\n Given the timing of this report, it certainly qualifies as a Friday news dump. Jones released photos that revealed bruises she alleged Rice inflicted. Rice, 25, was never charged with a crime. The NFL\u2019s personal conduct policy has brought suspensions for players not charged criminally in the past, but in this case, the fourth-year wide receiver will not enter a second straight season with a suspension.<\/p>\n Jones\u2019 civil suit indicated \u201cRice has grabbed, choked, strangled, pushed, thrown, scratched, hit, and headbutted Ms. Jones, as well as hit her with inanimate objects.\u201d Rice\u2019s attorney, however, released a statement indicating that on October 9, 2025, \u201cMs. Jones stated under penalty of perjury in a sworn Affidavit for a Non-Prosecution that \u2018Mr. Rice and I had a verbal argument, but he did not punch me.’\u201d<\/p>\n Jones had alleged Rice’s physical abuse had taken place for years; it is unclear if any cooperation issues interfered with this NFL investigation. That was the case when the league opted not to suspend<\/a> then-Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill in 2019, after a second wave of domestic violence allegations surfaced against the All-Pro. Hill\u2019s ugly college domestic violence incident, which brought a guilty plea, preceding the 2019 accusations, allowed the Chiefs to construct a team-friendly extension with the star receiver. Kansas City signed Hill to a three-year, $54M extension with a favorable (for the club) guarantee structure<\/a>. Rice is now extension-eligible, and because he was a second-round pick, no fifth-year option exists on his rookie contract.<\/p>\n The Chiefs drafted Rice a year after trading Hill to the Dolphins, and Rice helped make up for Skyy Moore\u2018s failed development as a second-rounder. Rice made a big impact for the Chiefs\u2019 Super Bowl LVIII-winning team in 2023, totaling 938 yards and seven touchdowns. An LCL tear sustained in Week 4 of the 2024 season derailed the SMU product, who was down for over a year thanks to the six-game ban taking place to start the 2025 campaign. While the possession receiver returned and played well last season, he was active for just eight games; the Chiefs placed him on IR after a concussion. Though the team parked a few key players on IR \u2014 including Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson \u2014 late in a lost season<\/a>.<\/p>\n Had Rice been suspended under the personal conduct policy a second time, he would have been looking at an absence that covered more than half his contract year. Kansas City\u2019s top receiver not being banned represents a break for the team, though off-field troubles that extend back to his time at SMU may still influence the Chiefs in this draft. Kansas City holds two first-round picks this year, the second obtained from the Rams in the McDuffie trade, and has seen Rice run into frequent trouble.<\/p>\n In May 2024, weeks after the street-racing accident, Rice was the subject of an investigation<\/a> for alleged assault on a photographer. The accuser did not press charges, but it continued a trend of off-field problems dating to Rice\u2019s time in college. During the 2023 pre-draft process, NFL teams became aware of an alleged incident in which Rice or a member of his party fired multiple shots into an empty car<\/a> belonging to a member of SMU\u2019s basketball team.<\/p>\n Rice faces a pivotal 2026 season, as he may be auditioning \u2014 based on how the Chiefs proceed early in the draft \u2014 for other teams as a prospective 2027 free agent. But the Chiefs have shown a high tolerance for off-field issues under Andy Reid. Rice being cleared on Friday points to him being available to open the season and craft an extension case. The Chiefs hold exclusive negotiating rights with the wideout until March 2027.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n