As the Kansas City Chiefs try to recover from their Super Bowl loss last month, some significant free agency decisions are looming.
The wide receiver position was one of the most obvious weak spots on the Kansas City roster in 2024, and the team has a variety of options for how to handle this class of free-agent pass catchers.
The talent pool isn’t particularly deep, but the Chiefs have two of the market’s biggest names: DeAndre Hopkins and Marquise (Hollywood) Brown.
While Hopkins is a Hall of Fame candidate who is clearly past his prime, Brown is more of a mystery. He only played five games this season (regular season plus playoffs) and had 141 receiving yards, but he still has some serious speed.
On Friday, ESPN’s Aaron Schatz predicted that Brown would leave the Chiefs in free agency for the Buffalo Bills, a team they would undoubtedly dislike seeing him play for.
“The Bills need someone who is fast and can stretch the field while Keon Coleman, Khalil Shakir and Dalton Kincaid work underneath,” according to Schatz. “The best bet to fit that skill set is Brown.”
“He’ll be four years removed from his only 1,000-yard season in 2021, and he’s always mixed deep shots and screens, so he’s never had a particularly impressive yards per reception average.” Still, it makes sense for the Bills to take a chance on Brown, who is arguably the best deep outside receiver available.
Brown, a six-year NFL veteran, turns 29 in June. He’s expected to sign a two-year, $15 million contract (according to Spotrac), but he may only receive one-year offers following an injury-shortened season.
The Chiefs have defeated the Bills in four consecutive playoff games, but the Bills have gotten closer to victory each time. Brown may not be the difference-maker, but Kansas City must improve to avoid being overtaken by Buffalo in 2025.
