KC Chiefs Name Patrick Mahomes Team MVP, Rashee Rice Rookie of the Year

Kansas City's superstar quarterback and dynamic wideout took home some team hardware on Thursday.

With the Kansas City Chiefs' 2023-24 season in the books, everyone can reflect on the contributions that took place to secure another championship. The reigning champs are now back-to-back winners, with an opportunity to chase a three-peat moving forward. They'll need big-time performances from everyone, especially stars.

If quarterback Patrick Mahomes and wide receiver Rashee Rice repeat what they did this past season, the Chiefs will be in good hands. On Thursday, Kansas City named Mahomes its team MVP and Rice its Rookie of the Year. Awards were voted on by Chiefs players, highlighting just how important the team feels these two are. 

The players vote on the recipients for both the Mack Lee Hill ROTY and Derrick Thomas MVP awards 📝

— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) February 29, 2024

For Mahomes, this marks consecutive Derrick Thomas Award triumphs and his third overall since 2018. Ironically, he's likely coming off the most challenging regular season of his career. The two-time NFL MVP threw for 4,183 yards and 27 touchdowns during the regular season, although he also posted the highest interception percentage of his career as a full-time starter and had his lowest passer rating. Despite that, he rebounded in a major way come playoff time. In four postseason outings, Mahomes accounted for 1,192 yards and six touchdowns en route to a Super Bowl victory. 

Rice wins the Mack Lee Hill award, following up Isiah Pacheco in 2022-23. The SMU product outperformed his second-round draft slot as a rookie, hauling in 79 passes for 938 yards and seven touchdowns in the regular season. During the playoffs, Rice had 26 receptions for 262 yards and another score. He emerged as a trusted receiving threat for Mahomes in year No. 1, which is no easy feat. He'll remain a critical piece of the receiver room entering the offseason. 

It's quite safe to say the Chiefs don't get where they ended up without Mahomes and Rice. Mahomes is the single most valuable player in the entire sport, and Rice helped keep the offense afloat down the stretch. This offseason, the front office will build around players like them and look to surround them with enough talent to make another deep playoff run. Their teammates' votes indicate there's a good core already in place.

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