Could Hollywood Brown Reunite with Lamar Jackson in Baltimore?
There’s something about February that brings out the nostalgia in NFL players-and maybe a little foreshadowing, too. On Monday, wide receiver Hollywood Brown stirred up Ravens Nation with a subtle but telling Instagram story.
The video? A throwback clip from his Baltimore days, complete with roaring fans and purple pride.
For Ravens fans, it felt like more than just a trip down memory lane-it felt like a hint.
This comes just days after Lamar Jackson himself made his own pitch, albeit through social media. The two-time MVP dropped a comment on one of Brown’s previous IG stories, writing, “Purple heart means Hollywood to the Ravens.”
That’s not exactly cryptic. It’s Jackson doing what he does best-keeping it real and speaking from the heart.
Brown and Jackson go way back. Drafted 25th overall in 2019, Brown spent three seasons in Baltimore, racking up 2,361 receiving yards and 21 touchdowns.
He was Jackson’s top target during some of the quarterback’s most electric years. Their chemistry wasn’t just good-it was natural.
And while it didn’t always translate into postseason success, it was clear that the connection between the two was special.
But in 2022, Brown was traded to the Arizona Cardinals. Two years later, he signed a one-year deal with the Kansas City Chiefs.
That 2024 season never quite got off the ground-Brown played in just two games after suffering a sternoclavicular injury in the preseason. The Chiefs made it all the way to Super Bowl LIX, but came up short against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Brown came back to Kansas City last March on another one-year deal. This time, he stayed healthy, appearing in 16 games and putting up 587 yards and five touchdowns.
Solid numbers, but the Chiefs stumbled to a 6-11 finish and missed the playoffs entirely. Now, with free agency looming next month, Brown is once again at a crossroads.
Baltimore, meanwhile, is going through its own reset. Lamar Jackson’s 2025 campaign was marred by injuries, and the Ravens missed the playoffs with an 8-9 record-good for second in the AFC North, but not good enough to play in January.
The offense struggled to find rhythm, and outside of standout rookie Zay Flowers (1,211 yards, five touchdowns), the receiving corps didn’t offer much support. Tight end Mark Andrews was next in line with just 422 yards and five scores.
It’s clear the Ravens could use more firepower on the outside. And with a new head coach in Jesse Minter, formerly the Chargers’ defensive coordinator, the franchise is entering a new era. After 18 seasons, Baltimore parted ways with John Harbaugh, signaling that big changes are on the horizon.
As for Brown, he’s been open about his departure from Baltimore-and he’s not sugarcoating anything. In a recent interview with NFL broadcaster Bobby Trosset, Brown reflected on his exit and made it clear he’s at peace with the decision.
“No, like I said, right there, mentally, I was checked out,” Brown said. “Maybe I'd have said something to coaches that probably rubbed the wrong way, me being young, but I wasn't wrong. ... It's just we didn't have older guys in the room who were comfortable enough about speaking out.”
He went on to explain that while he could speak candidly with Lamar, that same transparency didn’t always fly with coaches. “I could talk the way I talk to Lamar, I probably can't talk to a coach like that. ... But for me, I have no regrets.”
That honesty speaks volumes. Brown’s time in Baltimore may not have ended with a parade, but it clearly left a mark. And with the Ravens in need of offensive reinforcements-and Lamar Jackson openly campaigning for his former teammate-the door feels more open than ever for a reunion.
Nothing’s official yet, of course. But if Brown’s Instagram post and Jackson’s comment are any indication, the idea of “Hollywood” returning to Baltimore isn’t just a fan fantasy-it’s a real possibility. And for a team looking to reignite its offense and make another run with its franchise quarterback, that might be exactly the kind of spark they need.