Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce have established themselves as one of the greatest quarterback-pass catcher duos in NFL history over the past seven years.

2025 may be the last ride for the future Hall of Fame tight end Kelce, leaving Mahomes to find another top target. In 2024 that guy appeared to be wide receiver Rashee Rice, but a knee injury ended his season after just three games.

While ranking the league’s best QB-pass catcher duos heading into the 2025 season, the folks at Pro Football Focus paired Mahomes with Rice, not Kelce. Mahomes and Rice landed at No. 13 on their list.

From PFF: “One might be surprised that it’s not Kelce who is tied to Mahomes. Through the first three games last year, Rice recorded 24 receptions (first in NFL), 288 yards (second) and two touchdowns before he got hurt, while Kelce posted just eight receptions, 69 yards and no touchdowns. Mahomes owns an elite 90.0 PFF passing grade when targeting Rice over the past two seasons, but he does have four turnover-worthy plays to match four big-time throws and a low average depth of target of just 5.1 yards.”

PFF makes a pretty undeniable case there. Rice appeared poised to solidify himself as one the NFL’s top receivers before getting hurt last year. As long as he stays healthy, it’s reasonable to believe that he will become Mahomes’ new No. 1 receiving option.

That’s not to say that Kelce won’t still have a solid season. He may not quite be the same caliber player he once was, but he’s still one of the better TEs in the league. In fact, Rice’s emergence will actually help open things up for Kelce.

Ever since WR Tyreek Hill left after the 2021 season, Kelce hasn’t had much help from other Chiefs’ pass catchers. Hopefully in 2025 Rice, along Hollywood Brown, Xavier Worthy, Jalen Royals, and Noah Gray, can alleviate some pressure off of Kelce.