In an offseason defined by roster turnover, the Kansas City Chiefs have overhauled nearly every layer of their depth chart. The departures of cornerbacks Trent McDuffie, Jaylen Watson, safety Bryan Cook, and linebacker Leo Chenal gutted a defense that carried Kansas City to three consecutive Super Bowl appearances.
On offense, the team saw the departures of Marquise Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster, and pivoted with the signings of running back Kenneth Walker III and a reunion with offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy. Yet through all that change, the wide receiver room has remained largely untouched, apart from the addition of fifth-round pick Cyrus Allen out of Cincinnati.
Aaron Schatz Wants Chiefs to Sign Veteran Wideout
The lack of movement in the Chiefs’ WR room in the offseason has drawn attention from ESPN analyst Aaron Schatz, who argued in a June 18 column that Kansas City should sign free agent Deebo Samuel Sr.
The push for Samuel stems directly from the uncertainty surrounding Rashee Rice, who was released from a Dallas County jail on June 16 after serving 30 days for violating the probation tied to his 2024 hit-and-run conviction.
Rice also underwent knee surgery shortly before his jail sentence to clean up debris in his right knee, and he missed the entirety of the Chiefs’ OTAs and mandatory minicamp.
“The Rashee Rice situation is fairly confusing for the Chiefs,” Schatz wrote. “Coach Andy Reid says that Rice will be healthy enough for training camp, but is he going to face a suspension from the league for off-field conduct? It would be good for the Chiefs to find another strong slot target who can be insurance for Rice and can provide wide receiver depth on the outside.”
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“Enter veteran Samuel,” Schatz continued. “He had a bit of an off 2025 season with a career-low 10.1 yards per reception with the Commanders, but he still managed to gain 727 receiving yards with five touchdowns. At age 30, there’s probably still something left in the tank, and his ability to also take carries from the backfield makes him extra fun for Reid to play with in his game-planning.”
Rice’s availability has been a recurring issue throughout his three-year career in Kansas City. He has played just 28 games across three seasons, and the Chiefs currently have no plans to sign him to a long-term extension.
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Last season, Rice recorded 53 catches for 571 yards and five touchdowns in eight games. Moreover, according to PFSN’s WR Impact Metric, he posted an impact score of 82.0, ranking 16th in the league. By now, he would have solidified himself as the Chiefs’ clear WR, but his off-field troubles continue to cloud what should be a straightforward path to a featured role.
Samuel’s dual-threat ability makes him an ideal fit for the Chiefs. With Bieniemy back calling the plays alongside Reid, the 30-year-old wideout would perfectly slot into a system that loves trick plays.
Samuel’s veteran presence also shouldn’t be overlooked. Xavier Worthy has yet to emerge as a consistent threat after a quiet second season; Tyquan Thornton profiles more as a complementary piece; and Jalen Royals and Allen are developmental projects for the Chiefs. Adding a former first-team All-Pro who has played alongside star players throughout his career would provide a steadying influence for a young group that needs it.
If the Chiefs don’t plan to sign Tyreek Hill because of his injury concerns, Samuel should be their top priority in the free agent market.