If Hollywood Brown clicks, the Chiefs' offense will be terrifying again

The Chiefs are hours away from kicking off their season in Brazil. The stage has been set, and the time for lingering questions to be answered is now. One of the biggest questions surrounding the Chiefs all offseason has been their need to generate explosive plays again.

The answer to that question often revolves around Josh Simmons fixing left tackle, Rashee Rice getting healthy, and Xavier Worthy taking the next step in his development. While all of these options are viable, there seems to be a forgotten piece.

When the Chiefs added Hollywood Brown in 2024, he was viewed as a major addition to the offense. The vision of pairing him with Rashee Rice and eventually drafting Xavier Worthy promised to bring explosive plays back. However, that vision quickly faded after injuries sidelined both Brown and Rice for most, if not all, of the season.

Now the Chiefs are set to be without Rice again due to suspension. Add in an injury to Jalen Royals, and the offense doesn’t look much different than it did walking off the field in New Orleans—besides the offensive line. If Hollywood Brown can return to his better form, this Chiefs offense can be elite.

Back in 2018, the Chiefs’ offense was a juggernaut, a turnkey supercar for Patrick Mahomes to step into, armed with the league’s leading rusher (Kareem Hunt), prime Travis Kelce, and prime Tyreek Hill. Even then, the Chiefs went out and signed Sammy Watkins to add even more.

Studies have shown that having a third or fourth passing option who can take advantage of single coverage is one of the most important factors for offensive success. Looking back at some of the biggest moments of the Chiefs’ early championships, Watkins played a key role.

People tend to forget what Hollywood Brown has been over his career because of the way the last two years have gone. Despite missing almost all of the 2024 season, Brown still averages over 850 yards per season across his six-year career. That includes his early years with Lamar Jackson—who wasn’t nearly the passer he is now—the struggles of Kyler Murray, and Murray’s injury.

Brown averaged over 13 yards per reception in 2020 and has never dipped below 10 yards per reception in his career. He has been a consistent weapon over the middle of the field, something the Chiefs lacked last year. What he brings alongside Kelce and Worthy makes perfect sense if he’s able to tap back into what he does best.

At this point, it’s unlikely that Brown will play a full 17-game season without injury. However, the six-game stretch while Rashee Rice is suspended is as big of an opportunity as he might have in Kansas City. The Chiefs don’t need Brown to be the first, second, or even third passing option when fully healthy. They just need him to stabilize the receiving corps through injuries and suspensions.

The real question is: What does Hollywood Brown look like in 2025? Injuries have taken a toll on his body over the last few years, but he looked like a real weapon on third down during the regular season for the Chiefs. His return to the lineup late in the year felt like it could spark the offense. He hauled in nine receptions for 91 yards against the Texans and Steelers before resting with the starters in Week 18.

But what happened in the playoffs? Brown was targeted 13 times and came away with just five receptions for 50 yards. When the Chiefs faced their toughest opponents, Brown seemed to disappear. That can’t happen in 2025—especially if the Chiefs protect better and eventually get Rice back.

There are two ways to view Hollywood Brown’s role for the Chiefs in 2025. One: He hasn’t been able to produce anything significant in the last year in Kansas City, so why would he now? Or two: His career numbers say he’s a much better player than he showed last season.

While his injury history matters, he has also played 14 or more games in three of his six seasons. We know this offense will flow through Worthy, Kelce, and eventually Rice, but if Brown can be even half the player he’s been for most of his career, that will be enough.

Add in the impact of other offensive players like Noah Gray, Isiah Pacheco, Tyquan Thornton, Jalen Royals, and Brashard Smith, and Brown doesn’t need a major role. But if he can be anything like the early-career version of Hollywood, the sky is the limit for this offense.