Following an injury-shortened 2024 campaign, Hollywood Brown is set to begin the 2025 NFL season with a renewed sense of purpose.
The veteran wide receiver, now fully recovered from a clavicle injury that sidelined him for most of last season, enters training camp determined to prove he can still be a reliable and dynamic weapon for Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs.
Brown signed a one-year, $7 million contract this offseason, which includes $6.5 million in guarantees and a $3 million signing bonus, according to Spotrac.com.
The short-term nature of the deal highlights the stakes for Brown: this season is not just about contributing to the Chiefs – it’s about rebuilding his value across the league.
The former Baltimore Ravens first-round pick barely saw the field in 2024 after suffering his injury on the opening play of the preseason. He didn’t make his first regular season appearance until late December and had little time to integrate fully into the offense before the postseason began.
While he was active during Kansas City’s playoff run, the coaching staff understandably limited his role in high-pressure situations given his long layoff.
Now healthy and with a full offseason ahead, Brown is preparing to be a bigger part of the Chiefs’ offensive plans.
Patrick Mahomes confident in WR group’s potential
While Brown hasn’t reached 1,000 receiving yards since his final season in Baltimore, he isn’t being brought in to carry the offense. Instead, his role is to add veteran experience and versatility to a young and evolving receiving corps.
The Chiefs’ 2025 wide receiver unit features promising talent, but it lacks a seasoned presence who can mentor and contribute when it matters. Mahomes expressed excitement about the group’s potential, including Brown, during a recent media session.
“I mean, you talk about Xavier, Rashee, Hollywood, Thornton. I mean, Royals coming in, we got guys that can roll,” Mahomes said. “Our job is to test the defenses down the field, and we have to get back to doing that if we wanna open up other guys underneath.”
Mahomes‘ comment underscores the team’s desire to reintroduce a vertical threat to the offense – something Brown has consistently delivered when healthy. Known for his breakaway speed and ability to stretch defenses, Brown could play a key role in restoring the Chiefs‘ deep-passing game, which took a step back last season amid a rotating cast of receivers.
With Rashee Rice returning and younger receivers like Xavier Worthy joining the fold, Brown’s presence gives the group balance. Whether he’s used on deep balls or in short-yardage scenarios to create separation and move the chains, the Chiefs are expected to carve out a consistent role for the 26-year-old.
If Brown can stay healthy and deliver even flashes of his early-career form, he could be in for a strong contract push heading into 2026. For now, the focus is on making the most of this opportunity in Kansas City – and helping the Chiefs make another run at a championship.
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