The Kansas City Chiefs acquired a star wide receiver from the 49ers to replace a player facing 35 years in prison.

The Kansas City Chiefs were already considering picking a wide receiver in the first round this year before news broke of Rashee Rice’s involvement in a speed-racing accident in Dallas in late March. The Chiefs must be proactive in the wide receiver market, given Rice’s uncertain future in the NFL. They might sign a disgruntled San Francisco 49ers receiver before to the draft.

The NFL is closely monitoring Rice’s legal predicament in Texas. Rice turned himself in to authorities this week after allegations surfaced that he faces eight charges in connection with the collision. Rice may face a punishment from the league, potentially ending his playing career after just one season.

Kansas City Chiefs WR Rashee Rice is facing decades in prison

According to Shannon Power of Newsweek, Rice could face up to 35 years in prison:

Rashee Rice, the Super Bowl winner, could face 35 years in prison for his involvement in a high-speed crash.

According to the warrant quoted by local media outlet WFAA, Rice acknowledged to being involved in the crash and faces eight alleged felonies: six counts of collision involving bodily injury, one act of collision involving serious bodily injury, and one count of aggravated assault.

Rice was the Chiefs’ greatest target in an otherwise dismal wide corps. Last season, the Chiefs lead the league in drops. The team signed Marquise Brown on a one-year deal, but they need a long-term solution to complement Patrick Mahomes.

They could go for 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. The 49ers and Aiyuk aren’t close to signing a new contract with their top receiver. While the 49ers stated last month that they do not intend to trade Aiyuk, they may be compelled to make a deal before the draft.

Aiyuk wants to be paid around $30 million per year. With Brock Purdy eligible for a contract extension before the 2025 season, the 49ers have limited financial room. If Aiyuk does not receive an extension by September, he will be asked to play for $14.1 million in the 2024 season.

The San Francisco 49ers may trade Brandon Aiyuk before the draft.

That seems like a non-starter for Aiyuk, who has been the subject of trade rumors this offseason. Reports surfaced this week that he unfollowed the 49ers on his Instagram. As previously discussed on GH, an NFL insider suggested the 49ers could be open to trading Aiyuk near the draft

“At the annual league meeting last week, the 49ers denied receiving trade offers for Aiyuk. However, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated doubts that approach will continue. According to Breer, the 49ers may not be able to sign Aiyuk and may opt to trade him.

The San Francisco 49ers will face a difficult negotiation with Brandon Aiyuk. And I’m curious what happens when clubs start sniffing around with trade offers as the draft approaches.”

The longer the 49ers’ process to extend Aiyuk drags on, the more likely the front office will realize they need to trade him.

The Chiefs and 49ers fought a tough battle on the field in February; they could have another war in the front office in April.

The Chiefs would need to create cap space for Aiyuk.

The Chiefs have a limited budget, but their condition is not as bad as the 49ers. According to Over The Cap, the Chiefs have $19 million in cap space for the 2024 season. They have a $40 million surplus for 2025 and $119 million for 2026. The Chiefs may shift some money around and prolong Aiyuk’s contract, spreading his cap burden over time.

Aiyuk, the 49ers’ former first-round choice, has had two seasons with over 1,000 receiving yards. He’d work nicely with Brown to provide Patrick Mahomes with experience as an outstanding wide receiver for the Chiefs’ potential three-peat.

The 49ers would have the opportunity to conserve cap space over the following few seasons. Purdy would still have Deebo Samuel, George Kittle, and Christian McCaffrey to target in an offense built around the running attack.

They could use the Chiefs’ extra selections to cover other roster gaps and select a younger wide receiver from this year’s stacked draft class.

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