The Kansas City Chiefs know now that the ongoing saga involving wide receiver Rashee Rice and his legal situation is coming to a close. Now, the franchise can wait to see exactly what level of punishment he receives from the NFL, and that should be the next domino to fall.

The outcome of the civil suit still pending against Rice will not factor into any discipline from the league. So, the decision that came down on Thursday from a Dallas County judge will allow for that process within the NFL disciplinary board to begin and a final ruling to be made on when Rice will be eligible to return to the Chiefs’ lineup.

While it remains to be seen when that suspension is handed down, Kansas City’s front office released a statement on Thursday addressing the court’s decision.

Kansas City Chiefs Release Official Statement on Rice’s Legal Ruling

The Chiefs acknowledged the ruling made in court on Thursday, as Rice, according to Adam Schefter, was sentenced to five years’ probation and 30 days of jail time that can be served during those five years. That acknowledgement is about as far as the statement went, however.

Kansas City has known that Rice would be facing some level of discipline from the league for his role in the multi-car crash in 2024 that led to this legal issue. Completing this portion of the process lets both sides move forward and turn their attention to the 2025 season.

That doesn’t change the fact that Rice’s actions were what got him and the team in this situation to begin with. The wide receiver is under contract for the next two seasons, but he has already received all the money guaranteed to him. If he doesn’t keep his head on straight off the field, then the Chiefs run little financial risk of moving forward without him on the field.

Hopefully, that is enough of a threat to keep Rice’s name in the headlines for his accomplishments on the field and not his actions away from the team.