The Kansas City Chiefs have officially parted ways with Hollywood Brown after NFL Insider Jordan Schultz reported that Brown had signed with the Philadelphia Eagles. This is great news for second-year receiver Jalen Royals, who had reason for concern earlier in the offseason. While Royals is still a young receiver in this league, it had to be hard for him not to wonder if the Chiefs could turn the page after he ended his rookie season with only four receiving yards and a pair of catches.
However, Brown's departure leaves Royals as the current fourth option at the position, with Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, and Tyquan Thornton slotting in ahead of him on the depth chart. When the Chiefs first re-signed Thornton, the outlook didn't seem great for Royals, with it appearing Kansas City would add reinforcements at the position, perhaps pushing Royals out completely. Brown signing with the Eagles ends this speculation for the moment and offers the pass catcher a bit more security.
It should also be noted here that the Denver Broncos just made a blockbuster trade for Jaylen Waddle. Kansas City needs to use its current haul of picks on a secondary that has lost Trent McDuffie, Jaylen Watson, and Bryan Cook in the 2026 offseason. Kansas City already had every reason to add to the defense, with Waddle joining the division, the urgency has been turned up, leaving little room to add to the receiver position.
Chiefs WR Jalen Royals' Status Improved with Brown's Exit Now Official
What assets the Chiefs have left need to be utilized to rebuild a defense that has lost far too many key contributors. This is great news for Royals, as he currently sits one injury away from being in a starting job. If the season started today, the second-year pass catcher would step into a rotational role with Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster both gone.
Even if the Chiefs opt to make one more notable addition to the position, this leaves Royals in a great spot to make the roster. Fans have to hope that a second year in Andy Reid's system and the return of OC Eric Bieniemy will be enough for the pass catcher to make the leap and take advantage of the opportunity that lies in front of him.
Brown's departure does leave some slight cause for concern when you consider that neither Royals nor Thornton has an overly impressive resume. Add in the questions swirling around Rashee Rice, and there is plenty of opportunity for Royals, as well as a healthy level of concern about whether or not the Chiefs need to reinforce the position with dwindling assets. For now, however, it is a positive development for the young receiver on a chance he cannot afford to fumble away.