One of the biggest, and only, external free agent signings that the Kansas City Chiefs made during the offseason was the addition of wide receiver Marquise "Hollywood" Brown back in the middle of March. That was a huge boost to an otherwise stagnant and stale wide receiver room that Patrick Mahomes elevated all the way to Super Bowl champions last season.
Now, after an offseason filled with woes on the offensive line as well as the major issues facing second-year stud Rashee Rice, it's Brown that is looking like the standout receiver in Kansas City (at least for the duration of Rice's likely suspension). Because of Rice's situation, it's likely that Brown will take WR1 snaps for the bulk of that time—which could mean a huge payday for the new receiver.
Marquise "Hollywood" Brown had his incentives posted and luckily for him the likely loss of last year's WR1 could make his incentives easy pickings.
With Brown's contract officially signed and the former Cardinal and Raven officially rocking a Chiefs jersey with the number five on the front, the incentives that are part of his one-year, $7 million deal have raised eyebrows.
That $7,000,000 is already going to Brown no matter how many games he plays or touchdowns he hauls in, but there's an extra $4 million in incentives that can very easily be hit with the loss of Rice on the other side of the field and the aging talent at the TE1 position in Travis Kelce.
First, if Brown plays 45% of the offensive snaps he will receive a $500,000 bonus with another $125,000 coming if that snap percentage jumps to 52.5%. Moving up even more, if Brown is able to play 60% of the snaps that's another $125,000. Finally, if Brown can stay healthy and be on the field for 75% of the snaps then that's a cool $750,000 in his bank account.
For reference, Brown played under 60% of the offensive snaps during his rookie season and his rookie season only (58%). During the past four seasons, he's played at least 78% of the snaps with the most coming during his best season (2021) when he played 924 snaps. Although, that season he was on the field for 80% of the snaps, which was less than both his seasons in Arizona when he saw 91% and 85% of the snaps despite injuries and a poor offense affecting his time as a Cardinal.
But it's not just snap percentage that can help Brown pay for more diamonds and real estate. If Brown can accumulate 500 receiving yards, then the Chiefs will throw a cool half million in his bank account, with another $125,000 coming if he reaches 625 receiving yards. It's important to remember that Brown has surpassed 500 receiving yards in all five of his seasons as a receiver, and he's gotten more than 625 in three of those seasons (2020-22).
Of course the price goes up with more receiving yards, adding $125,000 for 750 receiving yards on the season (something he's done twice) and a crisp $750,000 for 1,000 receiving yards which he eclipsed during his third season in Baltimore when he hauled in 91 catches for 1,008 yards.
Finally, the big reason Brown was brought in was the touchdown aspect, something he has done well at with competent quarterback play. In Baltimore he averaged seven touchdowns a season but that number dropped to 3.5 during his two seasons in Arizona.
Fast forward to this upcoming season and there's plenty of reason for him to somewhat celebrate his teammate making some bad decisions during the offseason. Because without Rice to take targets and touchdowns away from him, it will be much easier for Brown to reach at least five touchdowns which would add a half-a-million dollars to his paycheck at the end of the season.
One more touchdown (six) and there's another quarter-million added to the total. And finally, if he can get to seven touchdowns as a Chief in his first season he will bring in another $250,000 which would total out to $1,000,000 just from touchdowns.
Brown's best seasons both came in Baltimore, with his second year seeing 8 touchdowns and 965 total receiving yards (playoffs included). The following season saw more yards (1,008) but less touchdowns (six), with somehow no Pro Bowl nominations coming during either year.
So could this be the year he breaks through the 1,000-yard mark once again? It could be much easier with no Rice, a less trustworthy Kadarius Toney and a 34-year old Kelce all taking targets away from him on a one-year "prove it" deal.
Personally, I hope he gains all $4,000,000 worth of incentives because it will show that general manager Brett Veach and head coach Andy Reid did their homework when signing the five-year veteran.
And, don't forget, that Brown will be playing against his old team in the Ravens during the week one "Banner Night" which is even more incentive to go off and start the season off with a BANG!