Every single team in the league has an X-Factor or a player that you don't really know what you're going to get. An X-Factor is a player that is a significant variable that has a significant outcome on what happens during the season. Even a team like the Kansas City Chiefs, who are a dynasty going for their third Super Bowl in three years, and their fourth Super Bowl in four years, has one.
If it's not obvious yet who the Chiefs' biggest X-Factor is already, then it will make a ton of sense in a minute. Sure, it could be Felix Anudike-Uzomah, a guy who just finished up his rookie season but did not have the production we would have all loved to see from him. Or maybe even a guy like Leo Chenal, who was the fourth linebacker last season, and with the Willie Gay Jr. departure, is set up to be the third linebacker, and maybe even start at that sam spot.
But, while those guys are X-Factors, those guys are not the biggest ones. That has to be Rashee Rice, who is set up to be the wide receiver on the team. Well, that was before he had his offseason incidents, which will likely cause him to miss some time. He's the obvious choice for that title, and Pro Football Focus thinks so as well.
X-Factor for 2024: WR Rashee Rice
Rice is more of an X-factor for off-the-field reasons than on. As a rookie second-rounder in 2023, Rice was a revelation for the Chiefs down the stretch, as he caught 79 passes for 938 yards and seven scores with an 85.0 PFF grade. However, Rice has had a tumultuous offseason with various legal troubles that could land him a suspension and set this offense back. Whether that suspension occurs in 2024 or has to be delayed until 2025 due to the legal process, the Chiefs losing Rice for any period of time could be detrimental to this offense’s effectiveness. If Rice can avoid suspension in 2024, though, with the moves the team made at wide receiver in the offseason this has the potential to be the most talented group of pass catchers that Mahomes has ever had to work with.
Rice has had a few different incidents this offseason. Of course, the one that stands out with the NFL was the first one, where he was involved with a large traffic incident in Dallas. So, we are not quite sure still what the consequences will be for his actions. We can assume that he may get at least a game suspension by the NFL. And, that's a huge reason he is the X-Factor.
Last season the Chiefs had trouble on offense. This year, they should be much better because of the players they have placed around Patrick Mahomes. But, with Rice having the best potential of the weapons they have on the roster after having a 1,000-yard season as a rookie last year, he's an X-Factor for that reason too. We don't know how he's going to be in his second year, the distractions of the offseason don't help, and now he has Hollywood Brown and Xavier Worthy alongside him as well.
If you ask me, Rice may be the biggest X-Factor in the entire league.
