Patrick Mahomes Reveals How KC Chiefs Can Best Utilize Marquise 'Hollywood' Brown
As Mahomes gets to know his new receiver, he's excited for what's possible this coming season.
The first phase of the Kansas City Chiefs' offseason program is rolling, which means the annual 'Camp Mahomes' throwing sessions with Patrick Mahomes and company are underway. The two-time NFL MVP is hosting workouts with pass catchers in an effort to build chemistry ahead of OTAs and training camp.
One of the main focal points of those sessions is likely Marquise "Hollywood" Brown. The newcomer, signed to a one-year free agent contract, might be the team's top offensive weapon not named Travis Kelce.
Speaking to the media this week, Mahomes spoke about the first impressions Brown is leaving on him down in Texas.
“With Hollywood, I think you obviously see the speed, you see the speed instantly," Mahomes said. "What I’ve liked so far is how hard he works, he’s been at the workouts, been at the route running and he wants more. He wants to continue to push himself more and more, and I think he has a hell of a great role in this offense the way he’s able to run routes, the way he’s able to stretch the field. I think he’ll be even different than you’ve seen him before because I think we can utilize him in different ways [than] I think he’s been utilized in yet.”
Brown, who turns 27 in early June, is a polarizing player. Selected in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens, his best year to date came in 2021 when he hauled in 91 passes for 1,008 yards and six touchdowns. He was later traded to the Arizona Cardinals and posted two seasons of respectable production, although he continued to deal with injuries and suffered from a poor quarterback situation.
Now on his third team, Brown is hoping his skill set will be a good fit in Kansas City. His blend of speed and explosiveness makes him a lethal deep threat, in addition to being someone who must be accounted for at all times. He's also dangerous in the short and intermediate areas of the field, as 73.4% of his targets came there in 2023. In 2022, that was still a healthy 65% mark. In both campaigns (and in each of his NFL seasons), he's recorded at least a 20% target share on passes thrown 20-plus yards down the field.
As Kelce ages, the Chiefs have witnessed firsthand the increasing need for quality surrounding talent. Drafting Rashee Rice last April was step one, with Brown set to be a temporary solution and added boost for this season. Brown's traits don't overlap directly with Rice, giving head coach Andy Reid and offensive coordinator Matt Nagy some room for creativity. This season's offense should be more dynamic than the unit that just won Super Bowl LVIII.
According to Mahomes, Brown could be the best version of himself in this new environment.
“I think everybody has seen his speed and the way he’s able to track a football down the field which we’ll obviously use, that’s something that’s huge and we need to continue to get better and better at this offense," Mahomes said. "I think the route running is what I’ve been pleasantly surprised by. Just the way he’s able to get in and out of his cuts, he has a good feel for space and like I said he wants to learn more and more, so I think as he gets within our offense and learns how with the freedom you have and the route running and your ability to find space I think we can utilize that over the middle of the field."
In turn, it'll help the team.
"I know he’s done that in the past but I think we utilize it at an even higher load, so I think it’ll be something that we can really emphasize in our offense.”
