Rice's looming suspension for violating the NFL 's personal conduct policy has been looming over the Chiefs for months now, which likely prompted them to re-sign Marquise Brown and Juju Smith-Schuster, and draft Jalen Royals in anticipation of having an extended run without their top pass-catcher.

A suspension for wide receiver Rashee Rice had been hanging over the Kansas City Chiefs like an anvil. It was eventually going to fall but, for a moment, it was unclear when it was going to come down and how long the ban would ultimately be.