Appearing on the Speakeasy podcast, Brown explained that he wanted to avoid the “small talk” of free agency. While he seriously considered a move back to the Ravens, he ultimately felt that the Eagles’ pursuit was more decisive.

“I was really considering going back to Baltimore,” Maqruise Brown said. “I got good relationships there. I really let my agent handle it until it got down to what it got down to. This is my second time in free agency, so I kinda don’t want the small talk. I let him deal with it. When it got down to who really wants me, who he thinks is really showing interest, then I want to talk and get involved.”

By signing a one-year, $10 million deal with Philadelphia, Brown joins a star-studded offense featuring Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley, rather than returning to his original NFL home alongside Lamar Jackson.

Marquise Brown would have faced immense pressure in Baltimore

Marquise Brown entered the NFL in 2019 as the 25th overall pick for the Ravens. There were high expectations set for him following a stellar tenure at Oklahoma, thinking he would improve a lot more with Lamar Jackson.

Unfortunately for the wide receiver, his time in Baltimore was inconsistent, as he registered only one season with over 1,000 receiving yards. After just three years, the Ravens decided to trade him and a third-round pick to the Cardinals in exchange for a first-round selection.

Even though nostalgia could have played a role in his decision, a return might not have been the best move for him. While playing for the Eagles will certainly bring its own pressure, a second chance in Baltimore would have carried a much heavier burden.

The Eagles need a solid WR2

With the signing of Marquise Brown, it seems like only a matter of time before A.J. Brown is moved out of Philadelphia. If this occurs, DeVonta Smith will likely take over as the WR1, while ‘Hollywood’ is set to become the primary WR2.

In his 2025 season with the Chiefs, Marquise Brown registered 49 receptions for 587 yards and five touchdowns. These numbers must improve if he hopes to secure a lucrative long-term deal once his one-year contract with Philly concludes.

According to Jordan Schultz, the Eagles are signing Brown to a one-year, $10 million contract for the 2026 NFL season. This move is expected to have a significant impact on the offense led by Jalen Hurts, especially as rumors regarding a potential A.J. Brown trade continue to swirl around the league.

As of today, A.J. Brown remains the team’s WR1, although some reports suggest a trade later this offseason remains ‘inevitable.’ Currently, DeVonta Smith is listed as the WR2, with Johnny Wilson serving as a key depth option. However, Smith would likely ascend to the WR1 role if A.J. Brown is moved, which would elevate Marquise Brown to the primary second-string spot.

How does the rest of the Eagles’ depth chart look?

The addition of ‘Hollywood’ Brown provides much-needed veteran speed to a room that includes young talents like Darius Cooper and Britain Covey. While DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown provide the bulk of the production, the Eagles have been searching for a consistent third vertical threat to stretch opposing defenses.

Beyond the top three, the roster is complemented by Quez Watkins and Danny Gray, both of whom provide additional depth and special teams value. The front office’s decision to bring in a high-profile free agent like Brown suggests they are preparing for all scenarios regarding their starting lineup.

If A.J. Brown stays, Philadelphia will boast one of the most explosive wide receiver trios in the NFL, although it is highly unlikely that he remains in the club. If he leaves, the combination of DeVonta Smith and Marquise Brown will be tasked with maintaining the high-flying standards of the Eagles’ passing attack as they look to return to the Super Bowl in 2026.

One less option for Stefon Diggs

Following Stefon Diggs’ release from the New England Patriots, many speculated he might land with the Eagles. However, Philadelphia’s commitment to their current roster potentially closes that door for the veteran wideout.

On the contrary, it is A.J. Brown who is now strongly linked to the Patriots following Diggs’ exit. Even so, New England may have to part with a first-round pick and more to successfully pry the star receiver away from the Eagles.

The talented wide receiver Marquise ‘Hollywood’ Brown will continue wearing the Chiefs’ jersey for the upcoming season after agreeing to a one-year renewal. Mahomes will have an important weapon at his disposal for what’s ahead.

The news was reported by NFL insider Adam Schefter, who, through his X (formerly Twitter) account, provided further details on the wide receiver’s situation with the Missouri franchise.

“More Chiefs WR news: Free-agent WR Hollywood Brown is returning to Kansas City on a one year deal worth up to $11 million, per sources,” Schefter reported via @AdamSchefter.

After missing a significant part of the season due to a serious injury, the former Ravens player will try to prove he’s up to the task. This is why the Chiefs are confident in his talent for what he can bring to them next season.

Brown’s resilience

Unfortunately for Brown, his performance with Andy Reid‘s team was not as expected. After his time with the Ravens and Cardinals, the talented wide receiver arrived in Kansas City as a major bet, but a serious injury caused him to miss almost the entire past season.

A severe sternoclavicular injury forced Brown to undergo delicate surgery, with his recovery expected to take a long time. Against all odds, the former Oklahoma player made a remarkable comeback and had the privilege of joining his team in the playoffs, even getting some minutes in the Super Bowl.

The opportunity the Chiefs are giving the wide receiver to showcase all his talent moving forward is a clear display of trust in the player, who aims to build strong chemistry with Patrick Mahomes and become a lethal duo in the NFL.

A 25th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, Brown had a fifth-year option on his rookie contract, which was eventually picked up by his new team. He comes from recording a career-high 1,008 yards in 2021, so his departure is definitely a blow for Lamar Jackson.

The Ravens quarterback expressed his frustration with the trade on social media, as “Hollywood” Brown will now be a target for Kyler Murray. But why did the Ravens trade him? Well, Brown himself explained why he requested the move.

This is why Marquise Brown requested a trade from Baltimore

“Yeah, I asked them for a trade after the season,” Brown told the I Am Athlete podcast on Friday. Among the reasons behind his decision, he suggested he wasn’t feeling happy in Baltimore, despite he loved playing with Lamar.

“It was just something, my happiness,” Brown said. “I talked to Lamar about it after my second year. And you know, then after my third year, leading up to the end of the season, he wasn’t playing. I let him know again, ya bro, I can’t do it. It’s not really on Lamar. I love Lamar. It was just, you know, it’s just the system wasn’t for me personally. I love all my teammates. I love the guys, but it was just something I had to think about for myself. The Ravens, we both handled it the right way. I didn’t go out and make anything public, I just kept it in house, kept working. It all worked out.”

The locker room wasn’t the problem. But Brown simply not felt comfortable with his role in the team, as he felt it was preventing him from unlocking the best version of himself. “It was just the situations I was put in a lot of times,” Brown added. “As a receiver, even in college, I didn’t catch as many balls, but the situations I was put in, I was put in situations that could help me thrive. And I just felt times throughout my career [in Baltimore], I wasn’t put in the best situations. It was just something that I was dealing with. But you know, I never complained. For Lamar, I would just keep working. Let’s get this Super Bowl, let’s get this Super Bowl.”

Brown went on to say that he is very optimistic about how far Jackson can take the Ravens, even claiming that they won’t need him as long as they have Lamar under center. That doesn’t make his departure any easier, but maybe one day they’ll realize this was for the best.