KANSAS CITY, Mo. — It took longer than conventional wisdom suggested but late Thursday evening the Chiefs jumped into the free agent market for wide receiver, landing Marquise Brown on a one-year deal worth a maximum of $11 million.
The contract includes $7 million in base salary and signing bonus along with incentives that could punch the deal up to $11 million. Brown took to social media in appearing to confirm the deal, posting the message, “Blessed Beyond Measures … ChiefsKingdom Let’s Rock.”
The Chiefs hope that Brown’s speed and athleticism can provide Patrick Mahomes with a reliable, electric target. The club also hopes he can help solve a problem their offense suffered last year when it came to stretching the field. Mahomes had the worst season of his career on throws more than 20 yards beyond the line of scrimmage, completing a mere 18-of-63 passing (28.6%) for 624 yards with a career-low of one touchdown, a career-worst six interceptions and a passer rating of 34.1.
By comparison, in 2022, Mahomes completed 28-of-63 for 912 yards on deep passes with three touchdowns, no interceptions and a passer rating of 107.1.
Brown didn’t put up dazzling downfield numbers last season with Arizona, but that wasn’t entirely his fault. Brown caught six of 21 targets for 175 yards and a score while delivering a passer rating of 57.8. But he received a 91.7 grade from Pro Football Focus on deep targets. Brown has never received a deep ball grade lower than 82.4, and his best mark came as a rookie with a 97.5 grade after hauling in seven catches on 15 targets for 266 yards and four touchdowns, generating a passer rating of 132.6.
Nicknamed “Hollywood” based on the name of his hometown in Florida as well as his style of play, Brown didn’t receive any offers from Division I schools and attended College of the Canyons in Santa Clarita, California to continue playing football and boost his grades. He transferred to Oklahoma in 2017, and put together back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons before forgoing his final year of eligibility for the NFL Draft.
The 5-foot-9, 180-pound Brown didn’t test at the NFL Combine or his pro day before Baltimore selected him No. 25 in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft. But his blazing speed and big-play ability prompted comparisons to DeSean Jackson, another similar-statured receiver who delivered big-play performances in Andy Reid’s offense in Philadelphia.
Brown was the first receiver selected in the 2019 draft class and has caught 313 passes for 3,644 yards and 28 touchdowns in five NFL seasons. He ranks sixth among that season’s class in receiving yards, following A.J. Brown (5,947), D.K. Metcalf (5,332), Terry McLaurin (5,283), Diontae Johnson (4,363) and Deebo Samuel (4,122). Mecole Hardman ranks No. 11 with 1,966 yards.
After a strong rookie campaign with the Ravens with 46 catches for 584 yards and 7 touchdowns, Brown built up to his first 1,000-yard receiving season in 2021, hauling in 91 catches for 1,008 yards and six scores.
But Brown grew frustrated with Baltimore’s offensive system and requested a trade. During the 2022 NFL Draft, the Ravens sent Brown to Arizona along with a third-round selection (No. 100 overall) for the 23rd overall pick in the first round. The trade reacquainted Brown with his quarterback teammate at Oklahoma, Kyler Murray.
A foot fracture in 2022 limited him to just 12 games but he still hauled in 67 passes for 709 yards and three scores. A heel injury late in the 2023 season cost Brown three games but playing the first half of the season without Murray also impacted Brown’s numbers. He finished the year ranking second on the club with 574 yards on 51 catches and a team-high four touchdowns.
While Brown plays predominantly on the outside in either The X or Z receiver roles, he also can play out of the slot, so he has the flexibility to play all three positions in the Kansas City offense. He’s also played most of his career in variations of the West Coast offense, which should help his transition under the Reid offense.
The Chiefs envision Brown playing a similar role to the one Tyreek Hill played in the Kansas City offense. He should be able to play off both tight end Travis Kelce and second-year receiver Rashee Rice, both of who should benefit from Brown’s presence on the field.
And the Chiefs aren’t done tweaking their receiver room for 2024. It’s expected that general manager Brett Veach will add at least one more veteran receiver through free agency, with former Los Angeles Chargers pass catcher Mike Williams and Hunter Renfrow of the Las Vegas Raiders among possible candidates. The Chiefs are also interested in possibly bringing back Super Bowl LVIII hero Mecole Hardman.
The Chiefs are also expected to be active at the wide receiver position during the NFL Draft as well.
