Why Are the Chiefs Being Urged to Dump Hollywood Brown Before He Even Gets Started?

The Kansas City Chiefs have made several notable moves this offseason to strengthen their wide receiver corps, including signing veteran Marquise “Hollywood” Brown. But just weeks after the NFL Draft and before Brown has even played a down in red and gold, some analysts are already floating the idea of trading him — and it has left fans scratching their heads.

The speculation stems from a recent article by Pro Football Network, which suggested that rookie wide receiver Jalen Royals could push Brown out of the lineup during training camp. Royals, selected by the Chiefs in the 2025 NFL Draft, brings an exciting vertical element to the field — one that some say Brown might not be able to replicate. According to the article, if Royals impresses early, the team could consider moving on from Brown to make room.

“There’s a scenario where Royals adds a vertical contested catch element that Brown can’t replicate, squeezing Hollywood out of the rotation yet again,” the article claimed. It also noted that Brown could be the No. 4 target behind Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, and Travis Kelce, raising questions about his role in the offense.

But here’s the problem: trading Brown doesn’t make much sense — financially or strategically.

Brown signed with the Chiefs earlier this year after spending time with the Ravens and Cardinals. Although his 2024 season was cut short due to injury, he was productive in the games he played and brings veteran experience to a young receiving group. Letting him go before he even gets a chance to build chemistry with Patrick Mahomes would be premature, if not outright risky.

Financially, it’s also a head-scratcher. According to Over The Cap, trading Brown would result in $3 million in dead cap, regardless of whether it happens before or after June 1. For a team known for smart cap management, that would be a surprising decision — especially when the return for a trade involving Brown is unlikely to be significant.

Moreover, the Chiefs haven’t seen what Brown can truly offer after a full offseason with Mahomes. With Kelce expected to take a reduced role in 2025 to preserve his longevity, Brown could step in as a reliable target alongside Rice and rookie standout Worthy. His speed, experience, and route-running ability make him a valuable piece — not a disposable one.

It’s also worth noting that Jalen Royals, while promising, is still an unproven rookie. Betting on a late-round pick over a proven NFL starter, especially this early, is a gamble not typical of Andy Reid or GM Brett Veach.

In reality, the Chiefs are more likely to keep Brown in a key role for 2025 and re-evaluate his future when he becomes a free agent in 2026. For now, the idea of trading him feels more like offseason noise than a legitimate possibility.

So, why the push to trade him? Possibly because Royals is creating buzz. But buzz doesn’t win championships — depth and experience do. And Hollywood Brown still has plenty to offer.