Quietly, one of the biggest wins of the offseason for the Kansas City Chiefs was a move the team opted not to make. This was allowing Hollywood Brown to sign with the Philadelphia Eagles and walk away from a franchise that had spent the last two seasons with the veteran. Kansas City won the move based on the fallout it creates at the position. Not only did Brown walk away, but veteran JuJu Smith-Schuster remains a free agent, giving the Chiefs a chance for a needed reset.
This is a win for the Chiefs in the opportunity it creates for Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, and even Jalen Royals. Kansas City's offense is going to feel younger and more exciting. One of the bigger issues the team has faced the past two seasons is giving far too many snaps to limited players like Brown when there were clearly more exciting options on the roster.
Parting ways with Brown is a huge win, as his removal from the puzzle creates opportunities for the Chiefs to be far more interesting and explosive on offense. It was clear that the time with Brown had run its course, given the return of OC Eric Bieniemy and the feeling that Kansas City was embracing youth and a bit of a reset.
Chiefs Had Huge Win in 2026 Offseason Allowing Hollywood Brown to Walk Away
Brown being removed from the lineup not only provides Royals an opportunity to develop but also puts Tyquan Thornton in line to be a starter. This gives the Chiefs an exciting and extremely explosive trio of starting options that should help take pressure off Patrick Mahomes as the quarterback returns from injury. This is why it is even more vital for the Chiefs to reset the position and remove any question marks.
It was obvious during the 2025 season that much of Brown's production came on the shoulders of Mahomes. The All-Pro signal caller was left doing much of the legwork for the undersized receiver, buying time for the veteran to get open. This won't be the case with the current trio of starters. That group has given Kansas City the ability to sit back, allow veteran players to walk away, trusting their draft preparations and their own depth to provide the needed answers.
Kansas City fans shouldn't be surprised if there is another meaningful addition ahead in this year's draft class. Brown walking out the door allows the franchise to embrace a youth movement at the position, and drafting another option would be an important piece of this. No question, the veteran walking away in free agency has proven to be one of Kansas City's clearest offseason wins as focus shifts to the upcoming draft and what other changes the Chiefs might make to the position.