The 2024 offseason has seen a flurry of moves around the league, and the Kansas City Chiefs made sure to put their stamp on the market. The signing of Marquise ‘Hollywood’ Brown indicated that the team was focused on addressing their receivers’ room and adding another weapon for quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
Mahomes is ready to start the first phase of Kansas City’s offseason training program as he spoke with the media via Zoom on Monday. He gave his early impression of his new wide receiver after training with him in Texas.
“You see the speed, I mean, instantly,” Mahomes explained. “I think what I would have liked so far is how hard he works. He’s been another way that the workouts have been through the route running. He wants more; he wants to continue to push himself more and more.
“I think he’ll have a great role in this offense, the way he’s able to run routes where he’s able to stretch the field. I think he’ll be even different than you’ve seen him before. I think we can utilize him in different ways than I think he has not been utilized yet.”
Brown signed a one-year deal expected to be worth up to $11 million. During his last two seasons in Arizona, he tallied 118 receptions for 1,283 yards and seven touchdowns.
“I think everybody’s seen his speed, the way he’s able to track the football down the field, which I will obviously use,” Mahomes said of Brown. “That’s something that’s huge, and I think we need to continue to get better and better at this offense. I think the route routing is what I’ve been pleasantly surprised by. I mean, just the way he’s able to get in and out of his cuts, he has a good feel for space, and he wants to learn more and more.”
Brown’s best season was in 2021 when he played for the Baltimore Ravens and caught 91 passes for 1,008 yards and six touchdowns.
“So I think as he gets within our offense and learns how with the freedom that you have, with your route running and your ability to find space, we can utilize that ability over the middle of the field,” Mahomes continued. “I know he’s done that in the past, but I think we can utilize it at even higher loads; I think it’d be something we can really emphasize in our offense.”
The uncertainty surrounding Rashee Rice has emphasized the importance of Brown’s signing. Kadarius Toney and Skyy Moore could also benefit from Brown’s presence.