Report: NFL initially proposed double-digit game Rashee Rice suspension, open to a settlement

Rice’s NFL hearing, for causing a multi-car crash in Dallas last year, is set to take place on Sept. 30

By Kari Anderson, Contributing writer

This season is up in the air for Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice, who is awaiting punishment for his involvement in a multi-car crash in Dallas last year. But earlier in the process, the NFL initially proposed a lengthy punishment, suggesting that Rice be suspended for double-digit games, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

In July, Rice pleaded guilty to two felony charges related to the crash, and was sentenced to five years probation and 30 days in jail. The sentencing gave the NFL the opening to hand down an additional punishment, with a multi-game suspension expected.

Per Pelissero, Rice’s representation — including the NFLPA, his agents and his attorney — argued against the NFL’s proposal, asking for a much shorter suspension that better reflects the precedent for a case like this.

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A hearing to determine Rice’s suspension has been set for Sept. 30, likely making the receiver available for the start of the season. But Pelissero also reported that it was still possible for a settlement to be reached before the start of the season.

If a settlement is reached, Rice may be able to sit out at the start of the season, rather than let the hearing stretch on into appeals and threaten the receiver’s long-term availability.

A double-digit suspension would be an unexpectedly harsh punishment for Rice in terms of this incident, keeping him off the field for more than half of the 2025 season. To put things in perspective, former Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker was suspended for the first 10 weeks of the 2025 season for a pattern of sexual misconduct with massage therapists in the Baltimore area; in 2022, Deshaun Watson was suspended 11 games for a similar conduct policy violation.

Rice’s plea deal with the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office gave him deferred probation, meaning that his case will be dismissed if he successfully completes his five years of probation. Rice can reportedly serve the 30 days of jail time at any point during his probation. Rice was also required to pay the medical expenses of the victims, totaling $115,481.91, as part of the deal.

In addition to his sentence, Rice was sued for $1 million by the two people who were injured in the crash; that lawsuit was settled the day before he received his sentence.