Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice will be suspended for the first six games of the regular season, which certainly creates quite a hole in the Chiefs’ aerial attack.
Yes, Marquise Brown will be healthy this time around, and Xavier Worthy could be a breakout star in his second season. But there is no question that Kansas City will dearly miss Rice’s presence, much like it did last year after he tore his ACL.
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The good news is that the Chiefs have some options, and perhaps the most ideal receiver available is Kendrick Bourne.
Bourne was recently released by the New England Patriots, per his request, opening the door for the Chiefs — and plenty of other contenders — to add the veteran pass-catcher to their midst.
Last year, Bourne played in 12 games after missing the first month-plus while recovering from his own ACL tear. He logged just 28 catches for 305 yards and a touchdown, but it’s important to note that he was playing in an inept Patriots offense.
Plus, the 30-year-old may have needed a full year under his belt to recover from the injury, so it’s entirely possible that Bourne could rediscover his old form in 2025.
Bourne spent the first four years of his career with the San Francisco 49ers and developed into a very solid auxiliary option despite going undrafted. He then landed in New England in 2021, where he hauled in 55 receptions for 800 yards and five scores in what was the best season of his career to date.
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The Eastern Washington product would provide Patrick Mahomes with a very reliable weapon on short and intermediate routes and could represent a perfect complement to Kansas City’s speedsters.
Bourne would certainly be willing to sign a one-year deal just to join a Super Bowl contender, and right now, it’s hard to imagine a better fit than the Chiefs, who once again find themselves in need of wide receiver help.
To be fair, Kansas City’s receiver room does look considerably better than last year right now, even sans Rice. Again, Brown — who missed most of last season due to injury — is good to go, and it’s important to remember that the Chiefs also drafted Jalen Royals, who could be a major sleeper.
Still, there is no doubt that Kansas City could use another established veteran weapon, and Bourne definitely fits the bill.
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