As the 2015 NFL season continues to close in, veteran running back Ray Rice is still sitting around in free agency waiting for a team to give him a contract offer. He hasn't played in an NFL game since the 2013 season with the Baltimore Ravens, and it is a bit ridiculous that no one has been willing to give him a second chance. That being said, there are still quite a few teams that could use some help at the running back position.
Rice was suspended for a good chunk of time by the NFL after video footage surfaced of him punching his girlfriend in the face. Since then, he and his girlfriend have gotten married and Janay Rice has been very vocal about her love for Rice and her desire for a team to give him a second chance.
Other players around the league have received second chances, including Ray McDonald and Greg Hardy who were both accused of the exactly same issue. The NFL is practically saying that Rice should be punished in a harsher manner because his domestic violence case was backed up with video evidence that the public was able to see. Every player that has been accused of domestic abuse deserves to see suspension time, but to give one player a second chance and not another is wrong.
That is not the right way for the league to handle it, and some team needs to consider giving him a chance.
What five teams should consider signing him and giving him that second chance this season?
5. New England Patriots
Bill Belichick has never been shy of picking up players that have been considered troubled players. He has given second chances in the past, and would be wise to consider giving Rice a contract and seeing if he can turn his career around. Rice would be an immediate upgrade over LeGarrette Blount as the starter in the backfield, and could help the Patriots compete for a second straight NFL championship.
4. Carolina Panthers
One of the dark horse teams that should consider signing Rice is the Carolina Panthers. They lost DeAngelo Williams to the Pittsburgh Steelers in free agency this past offseason, and Jonathan Stewart has not proven himself to be a legitimate every down back to this point in time. Bringing Rice on board to form a dual-back system with Stewart would be very wise and could help the Carolina offense immensely.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars
Another team that could surprise some people and consider signing Rice is the Jaguars. They are ready to take a huge step forward in their rebuilding process this season, and Blake Bortles could use a better running back to support him than rookie T.J. Yeldon and Denard Robinson. Rice would step in as the starter immediately and could be exactly the type of pickup that helps them be a sleeper in the AFC.
2. Cleveland Browns
Mike Pettine mentioned that the Browns had considered signing Rice throughout the offseason, and the Browns need to go ahead and make the move to bring him on board with the team. He would be a major upgrade over Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell from an every down perspective. Cleveland has a big issue at the starting quarterback position, and picking up a player looking to prove himself like Rice could be exactly what the doctor ordered for them.
1. Dallas Cowboys
Jerry Jones and the Cowboys lost DeMarco Murray in free agency to their division rival Philadelphia Eagles, and are hurting in a major way at the position. Neither Joseph Randle or Darren McFadden is going to get the job done, but bringing Rice on board could fix the issue. Rice would dominate after the rest he's had and a chip on his shoulder, especially behind the best offensive line in the NFL.
