The Kansas City Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes are going about business as usual despite facing several obstacles that threaten to put a damper on their title defense in 2024.
At the top of the list is inarguably the legal troubles surrounding breakout wide receiver Rashee Rice, a find in the second round of the 2023 draft. Rice is expected to receive discipline from the league which could limit his availability this coming season. With that, the Chiefs went about retooling their wide receiver room.
One of those new additions is Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, who is forming a solid connection with quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
Chiefs’ Hollywood Brown Sends Strong Message on Connection With Patrick Mahomes
Chiefs WR Touts Connection with Patrick Mahomes
“It’s been good. From when we first started going back in Dallas to now, it’s just keep improving. He’s trusting me more and more, so that’s good,” Brown told reporters on June 12. “We’re fast; we’re definitely fast. We’re gonna put a lot of pressure on people for sure.”
Brown also praised the Chiefs coaching staff for letting him play freely.
Brown was originally a first-round pick by the Baltimore Ravens in the 2019 NFL Draft. He spent his first three seasons there, finishing with 195 receptions, 2,361 yards, and 21 touchdowns. The 5-foot-10 Brown logged a 118-1,283-7 line in two seasons with the Arizona Cardinals. But he comes with durability concerns, having just one full slate under his belt in five seasons.
He is looking forward to his newfound freedom in the Chiefs’ offense.
“They let me play,” Brown said. “They’re letting me be a weapon. Something that I’m excited to do is not [be where] I’m just stuck in this role or that role. I get to be a weapon for the offense. I’m excited for that.”
Brown and rookie first-round pick Xavier Worthy give Mahomes one of the fastest wide receiver duos in the NFL. The Miami Dolphins’ top combo of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle may be the only twosome that boasts more speed.
Brown has one 1,000-yard season to his credit. But he has never played with a quarterback like Mahomes.
Birthday boy deep ball 🎂 pic.twitter.com/bTlyXlfE5e
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) June 4, 2024
Patrick Mahomes ‘Pleasantly Surprised’ By Hollywood Brown’s Route Running
“I think everybody’s seen his speed and the way he’s able to track the football down the field; which we’ll, obviously, use,” Mahomes told reporters on April 15. “That’s something that’s huge that I think we need to continue to get better and better at in this offense.
“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 … he wants to learn more and more. So I think as he gets within our offense and learns the freedom that you have within your route running and your ability to find space, I think we can utilize that ability over the middle of the field.”
It is not just Brown or even him and Worthy alone. The Chiefs also have speedsters in 2023 trade acquisition Kadarius Toney, former draft pick-turned-retread Mecole Hardman, and stalled 2022 second-round pick Skyy Moore at Mahomes’ disposal.
Incumbents Justin Watson and youngster Justyn Ross are on hand to fill Rice’s role.
However, any potential absence by the rising wideout could still leave the Chiefs with an explosive offense, so long as Mahomes remains upright and under (or behind) center.
Main Photo: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
