With wide receivers coming off the free agent board at questionable prices, the Kansas City Chiefs found one of the best available and managed to fit him under the salary cap. Now Patrick Mahomes has a deep-threat target he covets.
Late Thursday evening, Kansas City Chiefs General Manager Brett Veach signed one of the top free-agent wide receivers on the market. By landing former Arizona Cardinals receiver Marquise Brown, he gives quarterback Patrick Mahomes a down-the-field threat this offense has not had since Tyreek Hill was on the roster.
It was no secret Brown had a strong interest in coming to the Chiefs. He was very active on social media, dropping hints about his desire to play in Kansas City. To his credit, he could have grabbed more significant cash and incentives from other suitors, but he had already decided that Kansas City was his next destination.
The one-year contract with Brown gives him a base salary of $7 million and $4 million in incentives, pushing the total value to $11 million. The deal is likely structured like the one JuJu Smith-Schuster signed in 2022.
I assume Brown felt comfortable in the Chiefs’ vision this season and understood their cap situation. Considering the price value he gave to Kansas City, I suspect he believes if he plays well this season, he could get a long-term deal with the Chiefs after the season.
Very few premier receivers have been willing to give the Chiefs a break regarding contract numbers and guarantees. Brown remains the exception, and I’m sure once he heard from Mahomes, the opportunity to be part of a Super Bowl-contending team sealed the deal.
Veach has spent a considerable amount of cap cash retaining the defense, but by signing Tight End Irv Smith, Jr. yesterday and adding Brown on Thursday, he has managed to create enough cap space to perhaps add another wide receiver. He’s also added a pair of talented offensive players in areas of need for his football team.
Two names to watch are former Los Angeles Chargers receiver Mike Williams and former Las Vegas receiver Hunter Renfrow. There are indications they also have interest in talking to the Chiefs.
For Brown, this is the perfect landing spot for his talents. His addition will allow Tight End Travis Kelce and Wide Receiver Rashee Rice more space to operate on the field. Last season, opposing defenses never worried about a deep threat on the field.
Now, they’ll need to respect Brown’s speed and his ability to gain yards after the catch.
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