Hollywood Brown Reflects on Ravens Exit, Eyes Free Agency After Up-and-Down Year with Chiefs
Marquise “Hollywood” Brown is heading into free agency once again, this time after a full season with the Kansas City Chiefs that offered glimpses of his potential but didn’t quite deliver the breakout campaign some hoped for.
The 28-year-old wide receiver, originally drafted 25th overall by the Baltimore Ravens in 2019, has had a winding NFL journey. After three seasons in Baltimore, Brown requested a trade - a move that raised eyebrows at the time, especially considering his chemistry with quarterback Lamar Jackson. But in a recent conversation with NFL broadcaster Bobby Trosset, Brown opened up about the decision, offering some rare insight into his mindset during that period.
“No, like I said, right there, mentally, I was checked out,” Brown said when asked if he had any regrets about leaving the Ravens. “Maybe I'd have said something to coaches that probably rubbed the wrong way, me being young, but I wasn't wrong.”
Brown admitted that his delivery - not necessarily his message - may have created friction. “Just who I was.
Like, I'm young. I'm a young guy,” he said.
“Like, 'Who's this young guy trying to tell me?' But I wasn't wrong.”
What stands out in Brown’s reflection is his acknowledgment of the leadership void in the Ravens’ locker room at the time. Without veteran voices to navigate tough conversations, Brown often found himself stepping into that space - even if it wasn’t always well-received.
“We didn't have those older guys in the room who were comfortable enough about speaking out,” he explained. “So, for me, I would do it.
And sometimes, coming from South Florida, the tone might be that it might come off a little... I could talk to the way I talk to Lamar, I probably can't talk to a coach like that... but for me, I have no regrets.”
Following his trade to the Arizona Cardinals in 2022, Brown spent two seasons in the desert before signing a one-year deal with Kansas City in March 2024. That first season in red and gold didn’t go as planned - a sternoclavicular injury limited him to just two appearances. Still, the Chiefs brought him back on another one-year contract for 2025, betting on his speed and playmaking ability.
This past season, Brown suited up for 16 games, finishing with 49 catches for 587 yards and five touchdowns - averaging 12 yards per reception. Solid numbers, but not quite the kind of production that commands top-tier free agency money. As he hits the open market again, projections suggest Brown could land a deal in the $5 million range.
The big question now is whether Kansas City sees value in keeping him around. While the Chiefs’ wide receiver corps has been a work in progress, Brown offers a unique blend of speed and experience that could be useful as depth - especially if the team continues to evolve around Patrick Mahomes.
Brown’s journey from Baltimore to Arizona to Kansas City has been anything but linear. But as he enters free agency again, he's carrying the lessons of his early years - and a better understanding of how to navigate the league, both on and off the field.