The Kansas City Chiefs' quest for a record three-peat in the Super Bowl started when the team addressed its biggest need in free agency.
The Chiefs announced they had signed wideout Marquise "Hollywood" Brown from the Arizona Cardinals.
Reports stated the two camps agreed to a one-year deal worth up to a maximum of $11 million.
His initial salary is $7 million, while the other $4 million will come through incentives.
Hollywood Brown was the Baltimore Ravens' 25th overall pick in 2019. He was the first wide receiver selected from his class.
Hollywood Brown's career so far
He played three productive years for the Ravens before getting traded to the Arizona Cardinals for a first-round pick.
He spent two seasons nagged by injuries at the State Farm Stadium.
The 26-year-old said Chiefs head coach Andy Reid texted him ahead of his move to Kansas. The champion coach told him, "Hollywood, think Red today, KC Red with diamonds!"
Brown's ranking on best free agents of 2024 is not that high. The Athletic even put him at 79th.
"Brown remains very fast, and he's been productive for stretches, but he's also battled nagging injuries and caught just half of his targets in 2023," Randy Mueller wrote in The Athletic.
"He's very slight and gets knocked off of routes easily, an issue that can be difficult for offensive coordinators to scheme around."
He may not be the best player in the market but is the best fit for the Kansas City Chiefs.
Hollywood Brown instantly addresses the Chiefs' immediate need
Hollywood's signing received the approval of the team's superstar, Patrick Mahomes, on X, formerly Twitter.
What Brown brings to the team is a threat option in the intermediate and deep areas of the field that Mahomes can exploit.
He will serve as Tyreek Hill's replacement, even if they have been separated for over a season.
Since Hill's departure, the Chiefs have lost their deep ball weapon. Marquez Valdes-Scantling (already released by the Chiefs), Skyy Moore, and Justin Watson took turns filling out the hole left by the five-time First-Team All-Pro member, but to no avail.
According to SportRadar, the Chiefs were the worst in the league in terms of drops (28) and drop rate (12%).
Brown's 118 catches, 1,283 receiving yards, and seven receiving touchdowns in 26 games for the Cardinals may not be impressive, but it may be owed to the team's lack of a great quarterback.
For comparison, these numbers are almost the same as they were getting during Tyreek Hill's time with them.
His best years were during his rookie contract with the Ravens while playing alongside two-time MVP Lamar Jackson.
Brown is capable of creating space for himself with his speed. He is dangerous on a free release, and now that he has Mahomes, arguably the best player in the last five years, he might reach new heights.
Of course, it is not just Brown who will be unlocked. The Chiefs are just going to be scarier with a more dynamic offense.
Related article: Patrick Mahomes Agrees to Make Major Changes to Massive Contract to Clear Chiefs Salary Cap Room
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