On Wednesday night, the Kansas City Chiefs acknowledged they are aware of domestic violence allegations surfacing on social media. The team stated they have been in direct communication with the National Football League regarding the matter but declined to comment further at this time. While the team did not mention Rice by name, the allegations were linked to him through posts made by his former girlfriend. Rice is currently coming off a season where the Chiefs missed the playoffs for the first time in a decade.

The allegations were brought to light by Dacoda Nichole Jones, who has two children with Rice. In a series of Instagram posts labeled as a domestic awareness warning, she shared photos showing bruises and wounds on her body. Jones alleged that she had endured physical and emotional abuse throughout their eight year relationship, including incidents that occurred while she was pregnant. She stated that she is no longer willing to protect his public image and wants to protect her peace and her children.

As of January 8, 2026, no official police reports have been filed in Overland Park or Dallas, though the NFL is expected to launch its own investigation. Rice is already on thin ice with the league after serving a six-game suspension in 2025 for a high speed street racing crash in 2024. Under the NFL personal conduct policy, a second violation involving domestic violence could lead to significantly enhanced penalties. Rice previously received five years of probation for his role in the Dallas highway collision.

The new allegations cast a shadow over Rice’s future with the team just as he became eligible for a second contract. In 2025, Rice recorded 53 catches for 571 yards and five touchdowns despite missing time due to suspension and injury. The Chiefs organization, which has faced scrutiny for its handling of player conduct in the past, now faces a difficult decision regarding his roster spot. Fans and analysts are closely watching to see if the league places Rice on the Commissioner’s Exempt List while the investigation proceeds.