Getty
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown.
The Kansas City Chiefs have several decisions to make at the wide receiver position in NFL free agency, including what to do about UFA playmakers Hollywood Brown and Tyquan Thornton.
Marquise “Hollywood” Brown and Thornton are two of four KC wide receivers who are set to hit NFL free agency next month. The third unrestricted free agent is veteran JuJu Smith-Schuster, plus WR/returner Nikko Remigio is an exclusive rights free agent.
Needless to say, the Chiefs have a lot to discuss internally at wide receiver, and that’s before you even get into external additions in free agency or the NFL draft.
KC analyst Ron Kopp Jr. of Arrowhead Pride gave his opinion on the group of free agent wide receivers on February 16, starting with Brown and Thornton. Kopp recommended that Kansas City move on from Brown, who has been a failed free agent experiment over his two-year run, and attempt to retain Thornton in his place.
“Brown can’t play outside receiver, but he needs to because the team has Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy [who specialize inside],” Kopp noted. Adding: “Brown has been a disappointment for over two years, and the receiving corps needs a more complete player.”
As for Thornton, Kopp acknowledged that his price tag will almost certainly go up in NFL free agency, but argued that he’s a better fit for the Chiefs than Brown.
“[Thornton’s] skillset in the offense should keep him in strong consideration by Kansas City,” he wrote. “Thornton may not be a good enough route runner to play every down, but he’s the closest thing this team has to a downfield threat. The Chiefs will look for an X-receiver to improve the outside-receiver spot, but Thornton can still make vertical plays from the slot.”
Tyquan Thornton Could Leave Chiefs in NFL Free Agency in Search of Larger Role
GettyKansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyquan Thornton.
Kopp’s WR plan is sound, in theory, but retaining Thornton may not be as easy as it seems.
The 25-year-old big-play threat has made it clear that he would like to sign with a team that is willing to offer him more of a full-time role. Thornton believes he has more to offer in the route-running department, but the Chiefs seem to predominantly view him as a deep-play threat.
Despite his infrequent role, Thornton put together a career campaign in 2025. He finished with 438 receiving yards, which was almost double his previous single-season high of 247 receiving yards as a rookie. Thornton also scored 3 Chiefs touchdowns.
Unfortunately, with it being a weak wide receiver class in free agency — and one that could get even weaker after teams decide on franchise tags — a WR-needy team will likely overpay Thornton, betting on his upside. And KC can’t really afford to be that team.
For that reason, the former second-round talent could certainly walk in March.
What Should Chiefs Do About Hollywood Brown?
Even if Thornton leaves, the Chiefs should cut ties with Brown, too. The former NFL first-rounder has signed with KC on a one-year, $7 million contract in each of the past two offseasons.
The first year, he missed most of the season with injury. Then in year two, Brown was better, but still failed to live up to the initial hype he had coming to Kansas City.
Brown finished with 587 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns.
As Kopp laid out, the reality is that Brown does not seem to fit this offense the way KC envisioned. The Chiefs would be better off spending their money elsewhere, considering their available cap space will be limited.
Michael Obermuller covers the NFL as an Associate Editor for Heavy Sports, where he began writing in 2021. His areas of focus include the NFL breaking news operation, Kansas City Chiefs, New York Giants, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Pittsburgh Steelers, with expert knowledge on each based on years of coverage. Michael is an NYC area native and Quinnipiac graduate. More about Michael Obermuller
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