Wild Rice: Hollywood Writers Couldn’t Script This KC Drama

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – One single preseason snap. That’s it. That’s all the plays in the career of Patrick Mahomes in which he’s called a play with Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy and Hollywood Brown in the same huddle.

UTEP researchers should’ve invested resources in the Chiefs’ snake-bitten wide receivers, not whether the NFL whispered to its officials to favor Kansas City on penalties.

creed humphrey, patrick mahomes, rashee ric — Feb 11, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) hands off the ball to wide receiver Rashee Rice (4) against the San Francisco 49ers during Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

After a 30-17 win over the NFL’s hottest team, Detroit, Mahomes took the under-promise-over-deliver route on Sunday night. He needed just 10 words to describe how he feels about seeing those three on the same field for the first time since that one play 14 months ago.

“I'm very excited,” Mahomes said, smiling like a teenager thinking about his first trip to Disney World.

Then, as if switching gears immediately to a believe-it-when-he-sees-it approach, he corralled the joy.

“I mean, I'll just leave it there.”

mahomes, hollywood brow — Sep 28, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Hollywood Brown (5) celebrates with Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) after scoring a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images | Denny Medley-Imagn Images

How about this script

Disney writers couldn’t script what the quarterback has endured over the 435-day stretch from that Aug. 10, 2024, game until Sunday’s AFC West clash with the Raiders.

On the first play in an obscure preseason opener, Mahomes hit Brown on a short pass over the middle. But the new Chiefs receiver landed on his shoulder and, stunningly – after that one play in Jacksonville -- wound up missing the next four-and-a-half months. By the time Brown returned in December, Rice was on season-ending injured reserve after knee surgery.

hollywood brown, montaric brow — Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Montaric Brown (30) tackles Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Hollywood Brown (5) during the first quarter of a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union] | Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK

Fast forward nine months. Brown missed all three preseason games with an ankle injury but was healthy for the 2025 opener, but the NFL suspended Rice for violating the league’s personal conduct policy.

And forgive Mahomes if “You can’t make this up” crept into his mind in Brazil, where on the season’s third play, Worthy accidentally collided with Travis Kelce, sidelining the catalyst receiver for most of three games.

patrick mahome — [US, Mexico & Canada customers only] Sep 5, 2025; Sao Paulo, BRAZIL; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) runs against Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Khalil Mack (52) in the second half during a NFL game at Corinthians Arena. Mandatory Credit: Amanda Perobelli/Reuters via Imagn Images | Amanda Perobelli/Reuters via Imagn Images

A new era starts Sunday

All that changes this week, though, after the NFL officially lifted Rice’s six-game suspension on Monday.

“They haven’t been on the field together other than training camp,” head coach Andy Reid said Monday. “I think they’re looking forward to it maybe even more than I’m looking forward to it.

“They’re excited to play together. Those three are very close. We’ll see how it all works out. I don’t have a lot of promises for you, but it will be great to get (Rice) back going and in the swing.”

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