We interviewed the Chiefs wide receiver about a number of topics including the choice to join the Chiefs, the emotions of missing the first game, and more.
On paper, it looks like the Kansas City Chiefs went from a frustratingly thin position to an abundance of riches in a single offseason. That's what happens when a team's biggest investments in both free agency and the NFL Draft are at the same spot.
The Chiefs' wide receiver woes are well-documented from a year ago—a messy cluster of young players who failed each and every opportunity to stand out except for the lone emergence of Rashee Rice. Besides the second-round pick, the rest of the room contributed to a comedy of errors that limited the Chiefs' offense all season long.
Looking back at the Chiefs offseason, it's clear that the front office had a directive to change the culture there as much as possible. The shift began with the quick release of Marquez Valdes-Scantling in February, before a new league year could even begin, and it went into high gear when the Chiefs announced they'd struck a deal with Marquise "Hollywood" Brown in free agency.
In a recent interview with Arrowhead Addict, Brown spoke about the process of signing with the Chiefs and how it was an opportunity he couldn't pass up.
"When I went into free agency, I honestly didn't know what to expect. You know, I got a list of a lot of teams and the team that stood out to me was the Chiefs, It wasn't in the amount of money that the rest of the teams were offering but I'm like, 'Man if just the opportunity to fit...' it was just something that I couldn't pass up. And since I've been here, I feel like I made the best decision. I love it here."
Once Brown was acquired, the Chiefs WR room looked immediately different knowing there was a true deep threat who could take the pressure off of Rice and Travis Kelce as the primary outlets for Patrick Mahomes. Then came the 2024 draft when the Chiefs leaned into the rebuild and selected Xavier Worthy out of Texas. Just like that, they had the draft's fastest player—and Brown's favorite choice.
"Yeah, I mean I was talking to Worthy early when the draft first started and I was just like, 'Man, I hope we'll be able to get you tonight.' He was like, 'Me, too! Like I hope no other team gets me.' And when it happened, you know we texted or whatever, and it was just on from there."
Brown, who was promoting his affiliation with the mobile game NFL Rivals, will unfortunately have to wait until at least Week 2 against the Cincinnati Bengals to show what he adds to the Chiefs' offense as he deals with a lingering sternoclavicular injury from the preseason. However, the veteran receiver says he knows there's a long road ahead, so he's keeping it all in perspective.
"I feel like I'm in my sixth season now. so it's nothing., really. It's a week one game. Nothing really can get me too high or too low. I mean, it's a long season. So I'm, really not tripping about it," said Brown.
